Finally, finally…. and finally again a good news for the American tennis (talking about the men).
That didn’t come from the big boys, but from a small… young one.
18 years old Mackenzie McDonald came from absolutely nowhere to qualify for the draw in Cincinnati. The American teenager has beaten Nicolas Mahut and Steve Johnson both in 3 sets to get this incredible achievement.
Mackenzie is the first unranked (and never ranked…) teenager in tennis history to qualify for a 1000 master.
From McDonald…
“I can’t even explain how I feel right now” said the young American. “I didn’t expect to win two rounds and qualify for this event. I was supposed to be playing a college tournament in Indiana.
I was thinking about going to Indiana instead, but I realised what this tournament is and I decided to take advantage of it.”
…about his experience with the big boys
“It’s an unbelievable experience. I’m just trying to soak up as much as I can this week. I’m learning a lot from talking to some of the American players.
I’ve seen about 40 of the Top 50 here already. It’s an honour for me to even be in there with them.
I’ve been getting the routine down. How they eat, how they stretch, how they get massages. Just observing different routines they have in the fitness before. That’s what I’m soaking up.”
Next vs. Goffin
MacKenzie will play the first round against David Goffin, can he surprise again?
