Damm, 15, & Kodat, 16, Win US Open Doubles Match

American teens Martin Damm Jr. and Toby Alex Kodat may need to open adult bank accounts after a stunning first-round win in the US Open doubles Thursday. Damm, 15, and Kodat, 16, had combined career earnings of $1504 coming into the week, but increased that by a factor of 20 after beating countrymen Mitchell Krueger and Tim Smyczek 7-6(6), 7-5 at Flushing Meadows.

The teens are guaranteed to share $30,000 by reaching the second round, with a $50,000 pay day awaiting if they reach the third round.

But the excitement of winning their first tour-level match was what was truly top of mind Thursday.

Kodat said, “It was such an honor to receive a wild card at the US Open. A dream come true. To win here tonight, our first round, is something I could only have dreamed about. Such an amazing experience for us.”

Damm, whose father Martin reached ATP Rankings of 42 for singles and 5 for doubles, said, “What a day for us and what an amazing place to record our first Grand Slam win, and then to do it together. We have been friends since we were very young and played in every level of the juniors together. To play here, get this experience, and then walk away with a win, it’s a dream come true.”

At their most recent Grand Slam at Wimbledon, Damm and Kodat reached the semi-finals of the boys’ doubles and Damm also reached the semi-finals of the boys’ singles.

At Roland Garros, Kodat reached the boys’ singles final and Damm the boys’ semis. They fell in the quarters of the doubles.

In the third round the teens play the winner of 12th seeds Kevin Krawietz/Andreas Mies and Marcelo Demoliner/Dominic Inglot.