Donald Young, Jr. is a professional tennis player
from the United States. He was the recipient of much
press, heralding him as the next great U.S. male
tennis player after success on the junior circuit.
He struggled in his first years on the pro tour,
though he managed to play better in 2007 and broke
into the top 100.
While ball-boying at the age of 10, Young had the
opportunity to play with tennis legend John McEnroe.
McEnroe would later say that Young "...has hands
like another lefty I know very well."
As of March 3, 2008, Young was at his career-high
ATP rank, 85.
Young is coached by his father, Donald Sr., and
mother, Illona, who are both tennis teaching
professionals. Born in Chicago, Donald now resides
in Atlanta, Georgia.
He turned pro in 2004, but has mostly won matches in
Futures and Challenger events, lower level pro
tennis tournaments. He currently has a career ATP
singles record of 2-13, all 15 appearances coming as
a wild card. He has had a dismal start on the ATP
level, and his handlers were criticized for pushing
him too fast.
Young was, for a period of time in 2005, ranked the
# 1 junior player in the world. Young was the
youngest male to win the a Grand Slam Event winning
the Australian Open Junior Championships in 2005. A
record he held until the Australian Open in 2008,
when Bernard Tomic won the event 2 months younger
than Young.
