Jack Sock and Donald Young Pickleball Comeback: Jack Sock and Donald Young booked their place in the Round of 16 at the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase presented by Six Zero after beating No. 13 seeds Connor Garnett and Zane Navratil on Wednesday night. Playing on Humana Championship Court, the pair won in straight games, 11-8, 11-8.
A Return to Familiar Ground
For Jack Sock, the victory carried special meaning. In 2014, he was a runner-up in men’s doubles at the ATP Tour’s Western and Southern Open, now called the Cincinnati Open, held at the same Lindner Family Tennis Center. More than a decade later, he returned to the same venue—this time for pickleball—with longtime friend Donald Young.
“It’s a fun full circle moment here with Donald,”
Jack Sock said in his post-match interview.
“Obviously, we’ve both played here for tennis, and we’ve known each other for at least 20 years now. We never thought we’d be here playing pickleball, but it’s a blast playing together.”
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Focus on Doubles
Both Jack Sock and Donald Young began competing in professional pickleball in 2024. While they have enjoyed more success in singles so far, Sock is aiming to improve his doubles game as the season winds down.
“I actually care a lot more about doubles and mixed than I do singles. I want to have really good results out here on the doubles court. I want to be playing on the weekends. I’ve been ‘in the lab,’ as they say, trying to get better at the whole kitchen area.”(Jack Sock)
Looking Ahead
The win sets up a tough Round of 16 clash for Jack Sock and Donald Young, as they will face No. 3 seeds Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu on Thursday. The matchup will decide who advances to the quarterfinals, with Sock hoping to prove that his commitment to doubles is paying off.
News in Brief: Jack Sock and Donald Young Pickleball Comeback
Jack Sock and Donald Young defeated No. 13 seeds Connor Garnett and Zane Navratil 11-8, 11-8 in men’s doubles at the Veolia Cincinnati Showcase. The victory marks a return to the Lindner Family Tennis Center for Sock, who once played tennis there. They next face No. 3 seeds Christian Alshon and Andrei Daescu.
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