Meet the Man Who Can Switch Between Pro Tennis and Pro Pickleball
Last Edited
Sep 03 2024
Category
News
Donald Young, the Chicago native who once stormed through junior tennis to become the world’s number one at just 16, made the decision to switch to pro pickleball last year. But he doesn't quite have tennis out of his system.
He's returned to Flushing Meadows this year for one last go at the US Open, teaming up with longtime friend Taylor Townsend in the mixed doubles event.
Their partnership, which has already propelled them into the semifinals, could see Young add a Grand Slam title to his resume—an unexpected twist in his already impressive career.
At his tennis peak, Young ranked in the top 50 for both singles and doubles. Yet, as with many athletes, the grind of tennis took its toll.
Injuries, particularly a torn left wrist in 2022, and the pandemic-shortened seasons made it hard for him to regain momentum on the ATP Tour.
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What Happens When You Switch Between Tennis & Pickleball?
While pickleball has seen an influx of former top 100 tennis players, Young's shift between tennis to pickleball and then (temporarily) back to tennis is a unique opportunity to observe where each sport may compliment the other to the player's benefit.
The sport’s emphasis on quick hands, speed, and the kind of strategic soft play seen in his “dinky” shots during the US Open mixed doubles match has played to his strengths.
His lefty spin, honed over years on the tennis court, and quick reflexes make him a formidable opponent on the pickleball court.
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He’s already claimed victories over top-ranked players like Connor Garnett and Jay Devilliers in pickleball singles, proving that his skills do translate across the two sports.
For Young, this journey—both in pickleball and his swan song in tennis—has been about embracing change while holding on to the essence of what made him a standout player in the first place.
Whether he’s competing for a Grand Slam title or chasing a gold medal in pickleball, one thing is clear: Donald Young isn’t done making headlines.
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