Donald Young has been playing professional tennis for more than half of his life. Now 30 years old, he turned pro at age 15. Ranked as high as #38 in the world at one time, he sat down with Tennis Acumen for an exclusive interview with Karl Corbett.
Donald Young plays the Cincinnati Masters, 2009 (photo: Karl Corbett)
Karl: It’s February 26, 2020 and we are here at the Columbus Challenger event with Donald Young. Donald, let me test your memory for a minute. Does this name ring a bell? Noam Okum.
Donald: Yeah. We played a few times. A really good Israeli player with a great one-handed backhand. We played 2004 in Cincinnati. I’m thinking it was in the qualies. And I know that Noam spanked Nicholas Monroe and me in doubles one time in Carson (California) playing with Dudi Sela. I remember that pretty vividly.
Karl: Your memory is astounding. I'm based out of Cincinnati. I saw that match. It was early on a Saturday morning on center court. You had to be 15 years old, at the time.
Donald: I had just turned 15, yes.
Karl: Did you have any idea what how unusual that was or what the pressure was?
Donald: No, I was just excited to play. Actually, I just wanted to be there and enjoying playing tennis. That's it.
Karl: Well, how did you come to play tennis and when did you start?
Donald: Both my parents play actively. My dad played in college. My mom was a weekend warrior. There was no real babysitter, so I was always on the court. If I was quiet and good, I had a chance to play. They let me get out there and hit a few balls at the end of their hits. Through that, I grew to love the game and kept playing…. and here we are now.
Karl: Was that in Chicago, Illinois?
Donald: Yeah. Indoor hard courts, so it was year-round. It was a club, Hyde Park Athletic Club, on the Southside.
Karl: And when did you discover you loved tennis and you wanted to do this more than anything?
Donald: I loved the game from a young age, maybe 10 or 11 years old. I wanted to be professional by age 13 or 14. The main goal was to get a college scholarship. That's what we always were working for.
Karl: So, did you play college tennis?
Donald: No, I did not. I was 15 when I turned pro. You know, it just seemed like a natural thing to do. I wanted to further my tennis and we couldn't afford to do it any other way. So, I needed to sign with a management company and get some sponsors. I could have just kept playing juniors, but you have to keep progressing.
Karl: And does your family still support you, work with you?
Donald: Both my parents, yes. They're both my coaches still and it’s really a family affair.
There is more to this interview, so keep an eye out for the next installment.
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