UPA Pro Donald Young’s Final Tennis Chapter: UPA Tour Pro Donald Young is about to conclude his distinguished tennis career with a memorable finale at the 2024 US Open. As he prepares to hang up his racquet, Young, now 35, will take to the courts for one last hurrah, competing in mixed doubles with close friend and fellow American, Taylor Townsend.
A Special Partnership
The mixed doubles duo will face off against Asia Muhammad and Andrés Molteni in the first round, beginning this Friday. Townsend, 28, expressed her excitement and deep personal connection to this unique opportunity in a recent interview.
“It’s really special for me because he’s retiring. When he asked me to play, it was an honor because I grew up with Donald. I’ve known him since his mom and my mom played doubles together. He was the ring bearer at my mom and dad’s wedding. From the time that I could even remember anything, Donald was around.” – (Townsend)
A Tribute to an Early Mentor
Townsend, who recently celebrated victory at Wimbledon as a women’s doubles champion, holds Young in high regard for his influence on her tennis career.
“His dad and mom [were] my first coaches since I picked up a racquet, so I have so many special memories. More than anything, it’s really special because he was the closest thing that I had to feeling as though that leading this life was possible. Him winning junior Wimbledon, junior Australian Open, then going on to the tour, breaking out on tour, and coming home and being able to bring that accomplishment to us to begin, it was the closest that I ever had being near anyone that was doing this at this level. When he asked me to play, I just felt like it’s an honor to close that book for him because they kind of like opened that for me. I felt that it was kind of like a full circle moment.” – (Townsend)
Young’s Journey from Tennis to Pickleball
Young’s journey extends beyond tennis, as he ventured into the world of pickleball earlier this year. Making his debut on the PPA Tour in January, Young has participated in 12 tournaments to date.
He is among a notable group of tennis stars who have transitioned to pickleball, including Jack Sock, Genie Bouchard, and Sam Querrey. The Atlanta native is set to return to the PPA Tour next month at the CIBC Atlanta Slam, marking another chapter in his evolving sports career.
News in Brief: UPA Pro Donald Young’s Final Tennis Chapter
UPA Tour Pro Donald Young is set to conclude his tennis career at the 2024 US Open, partnering with friend Taylor Townsend in mixed doubles. They will face Asia Muhammad and Andrés Molteni in the first round.
Townsend, who has known Young since childhood, views this opportunity as a full-circle moment, honoring Young’s influence on her career. Young, who made his PPA Tour debut in January, will also return to pickleball at the CIBC Atlanta Slam next month. This marks a notable transition for Young, who joins other tennis stars exploring pickleball.
ALSO READ: New Mexico State Championship Day 1 Results and Highlights
