Donald Young Finally Hitting His Stride at US Open

Newsweek Magazine hit newsstands in December of 2004. It was their annual “Who’s Next” edition for 2005. On the left side of the cover was a kid holding a tennis racquet, his hat cocked to the side. His name was Donald Young, a tennis phenom born in Chicago, who, at 10 years old traded volleys with John McEnroe and was told he would be the next big American name in tennis.

In the middle of that same cover was Barack Obama, a then-promising state senator. Obama lived up to the billing. Young has not … yet.

At only 22, Young has already had a long and arduous career. He turned pro at 15 and was dubbed “the next best thing” in American tennis. He enjoyed early success, claiming the No. 1 ranking on the ITF Junior Circuit in 2005 at only 16 years, and 5 months. He was the youngest player to do so.

In 2007 he became the youngest player to finish in the top 100 at only 18 years, 5 months. He cracked the top 100, an astonishing 386-position improvement from the previous year.

In 2008, he moved up to the ATP World Tour circuit for the first five months of the season but could not build on the success he had seen the season before. He could not overcome himself and put together all facets of his game.

This week he pondered his tough road; “It was tough because I wanted to win. I was used to winning. When you're used to winning and you start losing, it doesn't feel good.”

Prior to this season, he decided to completely rededicate himself to the game. Instead of staying at home, trying to prepare himself for the long season, he took off to California to train at the USTA Training Center in Carson. He did two-a-days for both tennis and strength, and kept a better daily regimen.

“I would say I worked harder and did a lot of different things in the off season. You can't get different results doing the same old thing.”

Changes Pay Off

The combination of experience, maturity, and preparation began to pay off this season. In March Young beat Andy Murray, who was ranked No. 5 in the world at the time. It was the first time Young had beaten a top-10 opponent in his career.

Before playing in the US Open he reached his first tour-level semifinal in Washington and came in ranked 84, his highest ranking since May of 2008.

At this year’s US Open Young earned his first five-set victory in the second round by beating Stanislas Wawrinka. His upset of Juan Ignacio Chela in front of the packed house at Grandstand has been one of the more memorable moments of the tournament.

As he prepares to face four-seed Andy Murray, he has the backing of the media as well as the nation once again. “When I step on the court I actually feel like I can win, not just put up a good front and have a good match. That's a great feeling to have on the court.”

Andy Murray is a tough draw for Young, considering Murray is the No. 4 player in the world right now. Despite the outcome of the match, Young should consider this tournament a complete success.

“I think everyone's light turns on at their own time. I'm starting to feel like mine is turning on. Not everybody does it when everybody expects it to be done. I wish it could have been earlier. It's starting to come now and I'm excited about it.”

The rest of the country is too Donald. Good luck.

Follow Kristen on Twitter @Call2theBullpen

More on the US Open: http://ept.ms/usopen11