‘Future of American Tennis’ Takes On Skeptics, Expectations in Flushing Debut

So far, being the future of American tennis has not been much fun for Donald Young Jr.The 16-year-old native of Chicago, who plays his first U.S. Open match today against a qualifier, has yet to win a set in six matches at ATP events this season. Three of his opponents were ranked 119 or worse. None were inside the top 50.For a player who has said he wants to win each Grand Slam title twice, it has been an inauspicious start. Young is not accustomed to losing. He is the top ranked junior in the world and the youngest boy ever to win a junior Grand Slam, which he did at the Australian Open in January at 15. He was also the first African-American to win the 16-and-under Orange Bowl tournament, a prestigious international junior competition in Florida. He was 13.As outstanding as Young is among players his age, he finds himself overmatched by bigger, stronger opponents on the pro tour. Listed at 5-foot-10 (he seems smaller) and weighing around 150 pounds, he relies on speed, anticipation, tactics, and exceptionally quick hands to win, since his serve – no more than 110 mph on first serves, and about 85 mph on second serves – and groundstrokes still lack punch.Young’s struggles have extended beyond the six ATP events that have awarded him wild-card entries. In seven matches at Challenger and Futures events, two training grounds for low ranked players, Young has compiled a 3-4 record since May 2004. In the semifinals of the junior championships at Wimbledon this year, he lost to 18-year-old Jeremy Chardy of France, the eventual winner. While not as consistent as Young, Chardy essentially barreled over his smaller opponent, inundating him with 135 mph serves and booming forehands.Young’s parents, Illona and Donald Sr., who are also his coaches, received much criticism when they allowed their son to turn pro last year, even though the decision was as much practical as emotional. As Young continued to travel the world and win junior tournaments, his expenses mounted. Now, those costs are defrayed by IMG, the marketing firm that also represents Maria Sharapova and owns Nick Bollettieri’s tennis academy. Despite being a professional, Young can still play junior events under United States Tennis Association rules that were revised in 2003.Still, Young’s travails this season have not alleviated concerns about the family’s decision. Taking one’s lumps is commonplace on the men’s tour, but some fear that losing time and again – and often badly – might be more bruising to the young man’s ego.Patrick McEnroe, the Davis Cup captain, has been critical of the decision. John McEnroe, who described Young as a future top 10 player at a Kids’ Day event this weekend, has nevertheless worried publicly that Young has stepped too soon into a man’s game.Bollettieri said no matter how Young performed this year, it was time to stop arguing about whether it was best for him to turn pro.“It’s completely moot,” the coach said in an interview on Saturday, as he walked the grounds of Flushing. “Everybody should stop being coaches and wish the kid good luck.”Bollettieri used to work with Young several times a year at his Florida camp. He compared Young to a halfback who can make a cut, coast along, and then surge up field with a surprising and deceptive burst of speed. And he said Young’s size doesn’t worry him.“I don’t see it as a concern because he is very fast, has strong legs, and he knows how to slice and buy time,” Bollettieri said. “The kid has an ability to find a way to win.”This afternoon on Court 11, Young takes on Giorgio Galimberti, an Italian qualifier ranked no. 236 in the world. Win or lose, Young plans to remain in Flushing for at least a week, as the junior tournament, in which he will be the top seed, begins September 5.

‘Future of American Tennis’ Takes On Skeptics, Expectations in Flushing Debut

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