Tennis News

Donald Young: A career of success & inspiration

Donald Young, the former No. 38 in the PIF ATP Rankings who reached two ATP Tour finals, is enjoying a dream run in the final tournament of his career, partnering longtime friend Taylor Townsend to the semi-finals of the US Open mixed doubles event. The lefties are two victories from major glory.

But win or lose, the 35-year-old Young will not be remembered just for his impressive accolades — winning 124 tour-level matches, including three against Top 10 opponents — and making waves in the sport by winning the Australian Open boys’ singles event aged 15 before debuting on the ATP Tour a month later. Young will be remembered for the impact he made on future generations.

The American played a critical part in several professionals’ careers, serving as a role model for the likes of Christopher Eubanks and Taylor Townsend. Before playing college tennis for Georgia Institute of Technology, Eubanks traveled as a hitting partner for Young.

“Donald’s career meant everything to me. He gave me the opportunity just to train with him every day, which was a privilege in itself. But not only that, he allowed me to see the world with him and see it from the perspective of a professional tennis player,” Eubanks said. “He allowed me to be there as a practice partner and learn the ins and outs on what it’s like to be on Tour. In so many ways, he instilled so much confidence that I could actually do it. And I think the biggest thing he did for me was simply just being there and being a big brother, being a tremendous resource to go to when I had various questions or even questions about my game. He instilled so much confidence into my abilities. And he would always tell me, ‘You’re good enough, you’re good enough. You can play out here too’.”

Coming from southwest Atlanta, there were not many role models who excelled on the pro tour for Eubanks after Jarmere Jenkins and Scoville Jenkins. Young and his parents relocating to Atlanta and running a tennis centre 10 minutes from Eubanks’ house proved critical.

“I always say I got extremely lucky that he and his family came into my life, because without them, without their generosity of allowing me to be able to travel and practise with them, I truly don’t believe that I would be here as a professional tennis player now,” Eubanks said. “So I owe him and his family everything because they gave me the idea and the confidence to say that, ‘Hey, you can be a professional tennis player and this is the way things are done, as a professional tennis player.”

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2023/07/08/06/08/eubanks-young-hitting-partner.jpg?w=100%25&hash=01C9853089C4525E0C0D7BAEF5697A58″ style=”width:100%;” alt=”Christopher Eubanks travelled with former Top 50 player Donald Young as a hitting partner.” />
^{Photo: Donald Young}
Townsend and Young also reached the US Open mixed doubles semi-finals in 2014 and a decade later, they are within striking distance of the trophy.

“He’s retiring so he asked me to play,” Townsend told WTA Insider ahead of the tournament. “I was like, ‘You’re the reason I believed I could play any sort of pro tennis’, because he’s the closest I was around to it. It would be an honour for me to play with you and share the court for you on your retirement.”

For all the wins Young earned — including victories against Andy Murray in 2011 at Indian Wells, Gael Monfils later that year in Bangkok and Tomas Berdych in 2015 at the Canadian ATP Masters 1000 event — the impact on others sticks with him.

“It’s awesome. To have been a little or a big part of some people’s trajectory or upbringing or development is huge for me, because I would have loved to have that personal connection for me growing up,” Young said. “I just tried to do a lot of the things that I felt I didn’t get, so it could help someone else. Because going through it and learning it the first time, because for me and my parents and people around, it was the first time it was ever happening.

“To have the experience and then be able to pass it along so maybe someone can miss those roadblocks and bumps, it was pretty important for me. Personally, it was something I always wanted to do.”

Young will also be able to say that he was able to test his skills against some of the best players in history. He competed against Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

“They were all playing at the same time, and to compete with them and be on the court is awesome. I talk to friends, and I tell them how it was. They ask me how it was, and I tell them, and it’s just when you’re in the moment and losing to them it’s not a great experience,” Young said, cracking a laugh. “But in hindsight and looking back, it’s pretty cool that you can say you did those things. I’m blessed to have played that long and played against them, because that means I was playing [at] a pretty decent level as well.”

When Young was growing up, his goal alongside his family was to earn a college scholarship and pay for his education through tennis. To surge well beyond that, enjoy success and inspire others has been “Awesome”.

“It just changed the trajectory of my life, my family’s life,” Young said. “And for that, I’m definitely indebted and grateful to tennis.”

What is his message to his fans as he nears the end of his career?

“Thanks for everything,” Young said. “And again, if you told the 12-year-old me that I would have done all these things, he would have been super excited and taken it any day of the week. He would have been very proud and excited.

“So I’m happy, because that’s the one that had all the dreams and wanted to do it. So if you’d have told that person that, he would have been happy and proud of it. I can definitely be proud of it here at 35, so it’s nice.”

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Navarro beats Badosa to reach first Slam semi-final

American Emma Navarro moves into the first Grand Slam semi-final of her career by beating Spain’s Paula Badosa in straight sets at the US Open.

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Tie-break king Sinner on standout record

Jannik Sinner is the man to beat in tie-breaks.

The Italian has won 13 of his past 14 tie-breaks and showed up in the biggest moments against Tommy Paul during his fourth-round win at the US Open on Monday. He won tie-breaks in sets one and two en route to reaching the quarter-finals.

“I had those periods where I lost more tie-breaks. I mean, it’s normal, but you try to learn from this. I always try to [enjoy the pressure]. With tie-breaks you have it and break points you have it,” Sinner said. “I come from skiing. When skiing, you make one mistake and the game is over or the race is over. In tennis, it’s a bit of a different mentality and that is [why I embrace it].”

Sinner has often produced his best level in the biggest moments this season, highlighted by his Australian Open victory in January when he rallied from two sets down to clinch his maiden major.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings enjoys playing the big points and feel that it makes the hard work in training pay off.

“I always get more excited when playing important points, important moments. In my mind, this is what we practise for. This is why you make repetition on the practice courts and where you have to maybe change up a couple of things to try to surprise him,” Sinner said. “You have to serve a bit smarter. In the second-set tie-break [against Paul], I didn’t serve very well, but I tried to find a solution somehow.”

With his win, Sinner improved to 3-1 in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Paul. The 23-year-old has reached at least the quarter-finals at all four majors this season, becoming just the eighth men’s singles player since 2000 to accomplish the feat.

The top seed is chasing his sixth title of the season and will next meet Daniil Medvedev, who leads Sinner 7-5 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series. World No. 5 Medvedev was the last player to win a tie-break against Sinner, which came during Medvedev’s quarter-final win at Wimbledon in July.

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Mischa Zverev on brother Alexander Zverev: ‘He’s a chess player on court’

If the second serve is a window into a players soul, as Mischa Zverev claims, you could say that his brother Alexander Zverev is feeling relaxed, particularly after the first week of the US Open, where he is into the quarter-finals for the fourth consecutive year.

“I used to say that the second service is a reflection of your soul,” says Mischa, former No. 25 in the PIF ATP Rankings and now part of his brother’s team. “If you’re nervous, you will see it on the second serve. Maybe it’ll be slow, less aggressive and more conservative in terms of positioning. But, in that regard, ‘Sascha’ is feeling very confident.”

His stats at this year’s US Open tell no lies. The fourth seed has committed 17 double faults over four matches this fortnight. He reached exactly the same mark just in the fourth round of the event in 2019 against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman, just days after serving up 20 in Cincinnati against the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic.

“Sascha always had a great serve, with a very natural motion. He’s one of the players with the most natural serve, but sometimes it would seem to come and go,” explains his brother Mischa.

“We’ve worked a lot on it. Serving is about rhythm, a good throw and getting your legs ready, but not just that. Sascha is really focused on improving it. There are a couple of things here and there that he does technically, but in his case it’s more about staying focused and trusting his arm.”

The philosophy has served him particularly well in 2024. In fact, if the year were to end now, it would be the German’s best season in terms of points won on the second serve, with a total of 54 per cent. The figure is significantly higher than in previous seasons; five years ago he was at a mere 44 per cent in this area.

His 53 per cent this fortnight also goes some way to explaining his impressive campaign so far in New York. It is helping him to play more freely, even under pressure. It was especially evident in his last two matches, where he came back from a 0-1 deficit.

“I’m very happy that, even though he’s had some tough moments on court, he’s been able to find a way to turn them around, especially after losing the first set against Nakashima and Etcheverry. Above all, in the last match he was brilliant in the way he came back, the way he changed his game and tactics,” added Mischa.

“You can’t be at 100 per cent of your level in every match, but it’s important that you can change things and not waste time on court. So far he’s been able to do that.”

<img src=”/-/media/images/news/2024/08/26/18/32/zverev-us-open-2024-monday.jpg” alt=”Alexander Zverev” style=”width: 100%;” />
_{^{Alexander Zverev in action in New York. Photo Credit: Getty Images}}
In the next round he may have to be ready to change his game plan again against another player with an impressive tennis IQ, the American Taylor Fritz. Zverev leads their Lexus ATP Head2Head series 5-4, but he lost their most recent encounter in July at Wimbledon.

“Taylor’s a very intelligent guy, but when you compare his game to someone like Medvedev, Medvedev is more of a chess player on court,” Mischa said. “Taylor is more of a big hitter, a big server with a big forehand. He likes to keep points short, and he likes to step forward and dominate.

“At the end of the day, Sascha is also a chess player on court, but with different tactics to Medvedev, who structures points and doesn’t like rallies with fewer than two shots. Sascha likes to serve big, return big, but he’s also intelligent on court, he can read the game very, very well.

“He knows what to do in difficult situations, and he’s capable of finding a way to beat his opponent, not necessarily with power. Sometimes with resistance, sometimes with tactics. That’s why he’s had great results in the past.”

Another win at Flushing Meadows would propel him into his ninth Grand Slam semi-final, and his third at this event (also in 2020 and 2021). It would also guarantee he climbs to No. 2 in the PIF ATP Rankings on Monday, which would equal his personal best.

The German is certainly not short on motivation for his match on Tuesday. “Taylor loves fast courts and playing here, but Sascha is playing well and is full of confidence for this match,” warned his older brother.

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Draper 'proud' to follow in Murray's footsteps at US Open

Jack Draper says he is “really proud” to have reached his first career Grand Slam quarter-final at the US Open.

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Sinner sets Medvedev showdown in US Open QFs

Jannik Sinner set a tantalising quarter-final showdown against Daniil Medvedev on Monday evening when he battled past home favourite Tommy Paul in the fourth round of the US Open.

The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings battled from two breaks down in the first set and had to work hard throughout, but his baseline power and jaw-dropping shotmaking proved enough to claw to a 7-6(3), 7-6(5), 6-1 victory. Sinner has reached at least the quarter-finals at all four majors this season, becoming just the eighth men’s singles player since 2000 to accomplish the feat.

“It’s a huge honour to play on this court here. The evening session is always very, very nice. Thanks everyone for the support, it’s amazing,” Sinner said. “I thought that we both didn’t play our best tennis. It was a little breezy, a little windy, so we tried to find our rhythm a little bit. I found it a little bit at the end of the match, but I can be very proud. Today was a tough opponent, so I’m very happy to be in the next round.”

Players to reach men’s singles QF at all four Slams in season since 2000

The second game of the third set was the match in a nutshell. Paul did everything he possibly could to hit the ball past the opponent, pushing the Italian well behind the baseline, so much so that the top seed was nearly off camera. But as the American surged into the net, there was nothing he could do about a screaming crosscourt forehand passing shot that was ultimately too good.

Top seed in top form 🙌@janniksin is QF bound in NYC after a 7-6(3) 7-6(5) 6-1 victory over Paul.@usopen | #USOpen pic.twitter.com/wf8kQBk8mH

— ATP Tour (@atptour) September 3, 2024

The 14th seed played at times a great level in a match that featured some of the most entertaining points of the tournament so far. But Sinner, this year’s Australian Open champion, was simply better on the evening.

Paul earned two service breaks, but they came in his second and third return games of the match. Sinner rallied from a double break down in the first set and despite the tight scoreline, had an answer for all the questions his opponent posed.

“For sure mentally I didn’t start very well. I was a double break down in the first set. I tried to stay there mentally and for sure this today was one of the keys to win this match,” Sinner said. “I served very well in the beginning of the match. There are some ups and downs obviously in best of five, it’s normal to have. But finding my rhythm in the end of the match hopefully helps with [it] for the next match, so let’s see.”

This was the pair’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting since Sinner defeated Paul 6-4, 6-4 last year in Toronto, where the Italian claimed his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title. He now leads their series 3-1.

Sinner will now prepare to face Medvedev in a battle of the only two major champions remaining in the draw. They most recently clashed in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, where Medvedev triumphed in five sets to snap a five-match losing streak against the World No. 1 and take a 7-5 lead in their rivalry. Sinner beat Medvedev to win this year’s Australian Open.

“Tough match. It’s going to be a lot of rallies, so hopefully I’ll be ready physically. It’s going to be a physical match, also a mental match,” Sinner said. “I won in Australia, he then won in Wimbledon. That was five sets. So hopefully it’s going to be a good match. We’ll try to do our best on court, hopefully you guys enjoy the next one and then we’ll see how it goes.”

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Iconic artist Wale: ‘Frances has got the rapper energy’

Frances Tiafoe has long been the face of tennis in the “DMV” (the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia), and other celebrities in the area have taken notice. Iconic artist Wale is a big supporter of the US Open quarter-finalist, who will play Grigor Dimitrov on Tuesday for a place in the last four.

“It’s like a shot in the arm. The DMV is known for football, basketball. We’ve got a lot. But tennis, there are not a lot of black men’s tennis players that are having that level of success,” Wale told ATPTour.com. “For him to be where we’re from, it’s just the icing on the cake. He’s an easy guy to root for in a sport that I feel like he can even be one of the faces of.”

Wale even visited the Mubadala Citi DC Open last month to watch his friend compete in the ATP 500 event. He compared the atmosphere to that of a Washington Commanders home game.

“I would imagine [it was] like a Sugar Ray [Leonard] boxing match that was in Landover in the ‘80s or something,” Wale said. “You could feel that the energy was for him and he put on a great show.”

Beyond his success on the tennis court, Wale has been impressed with how the 26-year-old carries himself.

“He’s humble. Even when he was like, ‘It’s my house’ [against Ben Shelton], you can still tell that he respects his opponent, he respects the game. He’s just easy to root for. He gets into it when he’s got to,” Wale said. “On a personal level, just how he is with me and how he is with other people, he’s just a really good dude. People that have that much success, they don’t always be the best people and he’s just a really good person that really respects the sport and respects his opponent. He’s an exciting player. What’s not to love, right?”

Wale has a couple pairs of Andre Agassi shoes in storage and has watched the likes of Agassi, Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams over the years. Today, he follows players including Tiafoe, Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka, and believes “tennis is an easy watch”.

“There are a lot of young legends emerging right now,” Wale said. “[There is] just a lot to be excited about. I’ve been watching.”

Something that appeals to the Washington, D.C.-native about tennis is the one-on-one nature of the competition. He said that makes it “a different monster”.

“You can’t really take plays off. Your strategy is your strategy. You’ve got to battle with your own mind. It’s a psychological sport,” Wale said. “[Washington tournament chairman] Mark Ein explained so many layers of tennis to me at the Washington tournament. He explained so many levels that I never even thought of, so I watch it with a different mindset at this point.”

Wale is immersed in the sports world with the University of Maryland football team and its head coach, Michael Locksley, who is a mentor of Tiafoe’s. But when the rapper finishes for the day, he has checked in on Tiafoe’s US Open efforts. The home favourite is into the quarter-finals for the third consecutive year.

“I watch the highlights when I get back,” Wale said. “I think I’m going to be able to watch the next match, but I’ve been locked in with practice. I’ve been catching the good stuff, though.”

Most of all, Wale feels pride watching what his friend is accomplishing.

“It’s like an infinite level [of being proud] seeing him manoeuvre through this and seeing how he keeps his composure. It’s very inspiring to me. We can all learn a lot from Frances Tiafoe, to be honest,” Wale said. “Tennis is a wicked game, man. You can be down crazy and have to rally back… There’s a lot you can learn. I watched him, I talked to him. We talk on the phone. His energy is that of a person who is grateful for everything.

“He wants to represent this area just as much as a rapper would. Frances has got the rapper energy, to be honest. He wants to represent where he’s from just like a rapper would.”

Wale believes Tiafoe is just getting started on and off the court. The American also sets a great example off the court and has been recognised for it. Tiafoe earned the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in 2020.

“He’s got so many more tricks up his sleeve and I think he’s just going to put Maryland tennis on the map,” Wale said. “Black tennis players, they have somebody to look up to. Young black kids have somebody to look up to, and Naomi and Coco are doing their thing. But young black boys have somebody to look up to and that’s exciting and admirable.

“It’s exciting to see what he can do and I’m always going to support him. I’m grateful that we made our connection and that he’s doing what he’s doing. Sometimes I take his matches too seriously!”

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'I don't want to leave' – Sabalenka bids for semi-final spot

Aryna Sabalenka says she “just does not want to leave early” as she bids to reach a fourth successive US Open semi-final.

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Swiatek 'feeling better every day' after powering into quarter-finals

World number one Iga Swiatek moves confidently into the US Open quarter-finals with victory over Liudmila Samsonova.

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De Minaur sinks Thompson to reach 3rd straight Grand Slam QF

Alex de Minaur reached his third consecutive major quarter-final on Monday at the US Open, where he overcame fellow Australian Jordan Thompson 6-0, 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 under the lights in New York.

The 10th seed raced out of the blocks to take command early and showed great foot speed throughout on Louis Armstrong, tracking down drop volleys and flat Thompson groundstrokes to reach the last eight after two hours and 57 minutes.

“I’ve got so much respect for Thommo. We’ve grown up together and he’s been like a big brother to me,” De Minaur said. “I really appreciate everything he’s done for me. He’s a helluva competitor, my Davis Cup teammate and I can’t wait to share the court many, many times with him.”

With his 40th tour-level win of the year, De Minaur passed Novak Djokovic in seventh place in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin. The 25-year-old has enjoyed an impressive year, reaching the last eight at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, while winning titles in Acapulco and ‘s-Hertogenbosch. He is aiming to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals for the first time.

“It’s just the mentality,” De Minaur said of his consistent success this year. “Having a positive mindset no matter what , trying to win every point and as always compete my heart out.”

Playing his first tournament since Wimbledon, where a hip injuring forced his withdrawal ahead of a quarter-final with Novak Djokovic, De Minaur will meet British lefty Jack Draper in the last eight.

De Minaur takes a 3-0 Lexus ATP Head2Head series lead into the clash, with both men aiming to reach the semi-finals at a major for the first time. De Minaur also advanced to the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows in 2020 when he lost to eventual champion Dominic Thiem.

De Minaur started fast against Thompson, who hit one winner and 12 unforced errors in a nervy first set. The top-ranked Australian was consistent from the baseline to lead but had to withstand an attacking second-set showing from Thompson. The 30-year-old started to move forward more frequently, winning 71 per cent (12/17) of net points in the set to apply pressure on De Minaur.

The 10th seed reacted well in the third set, winning 93 per cent (14/15) of his first-serve points and gaining the decisive break of the set in the sixth game and then survived a rollercoaster fourth set, which featured five service breaks, after rallying from 1-3. De Minaur had an edge in the key stats categories, winning 56 per cent of second serves to Thompson’s 43 per cent and making less than half (26 to 59) of his opponent’s unforced errors.

Thompson was aiming to reach the last eight at a major for the first time. The 30-year-old leaves New York at No. 29 in the PIF ATP Live Rankings.

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