DJ Bennett and Ava Esposito from Auburn University clinched a wildcard bid into the women鈥檚 doubles main draw at the 2026 U.S. Open by winning the USTA American Collegiate Wildcard Playoff. The duo faced challenges, losing the first set, but demonstrated resilience to secure their victory with a final score of 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. This marks a historic moment as they become the first Auburn women鈥檚 tennis players to compete in a Grand Slam event.

By the Numbers
  • Bennett and Esposito finished the 2025-26 season ranked No. 3 nationally with a record of 17-4 in dual matches.
  • The pair achieved eight ranked victories, including two against top-10 opponents.
State of Play
  • The women鈥檚 doubles main draw at the U.S. Open is scheduled for Sept. 3-11 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York.
  • Bennett and Esposito achieved a historic ranking of No. 2 in the nation on April 14, marking them as the highest-ranked doubles team in Auburn's history.
What's Next

The Auburn duo will prepare for their debut at the U.S. Open, where they will compete against some of the best teams in the world, aiming to build on their successful season and make a significant impact in the tournament.

Bottom Line

Bennett and Esposito鈥檚 journey to the U.S. Open exemplifies their hard work and perseverance, setting a new standard for Auburn women鈥檚 tennis as they prepare to make history at a Grand Slam event.