In his final match before retiring, Donald Young is aiming for one last shot at glory at the US Open, teaming up with his friend Taylor Townsend in the mixed doubles category. Young’s journey to this moment began with a significant need: the quest for a scholarship. Growing up, the prospect of securing an education through tennis became a driving force in his life.

In 2005, Donald Young was the top-ranked player at the junior level, showcasing his exceptional talent. And, from his early days, he was deeply connected with Taylor Townsend. Interestingly, he also served as the ring bearer at her parents’ wedding. Over the years, Young grew into one of the prominent stars of American men’s tennis, fulfilling the promise he showed as a junior and leaving a significant mark on the sport.

Growing up, Donald Young’s main objective was to play tennis to get a college scholarship and fund his studies, with his family’s help. While Young’s journey has gone far beyond those expectations, his initial desire was motivated by the need for educational possibilities. However, he turned out immensely successful professionally. When Young looks back at his achievements, he calls the experience “awesome,” realizing that his early perseverance and his family’s support have allowed him to have a successful career that has gone well beyond his original goals.

“It just changed the trajectory of my life, my family’s life. And for that, I’m definitely indebted and grateful to tennis. Thanks for everything. And again, if you told the 12-year-old me that I would have done all these things, he would have been super excited and taken it any day of the week. He would have been very proud and excited,” Young said.

Further, he added, “So I’m happy because that’s the one that had all the dreams and wanted to do it. So if you’d have told that person that, he would have been happy and proud of it. I can definitely be proud of it here at 35, so it’s nice.” Even Townsend, in the past, opened up about Young’s achievements on the court, admiring his extraordinary skills.

Taylor Townsend on Donald Young’s junior career

Donald Young and his family have been a staple in Taylor Townsend’s life for as long as she has held a racket. Townsend’s mother and Young’s mother played doubles, and Young’s father served as Townsend’s first coach. Young himself served as a major source of motivation for Townsend, demonstrating to her that a professional tennis career was achievable even with a modest background.

In an old interview, Townsend stated, “Him winning junior Wimbledon, junior Australian Open, going onto the tour, breaking out on tour, and then coming home and being able to bring that accomplishment to us and being able to see that stuff, it was the closest that I ever had to being near anyone that was doing this at this level.”

As Taylor Townsend and Donald Young prepare to face Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori in the final of the US Open mixed doubles, their journey together is no less than an inspiration. With their combined experience and unwavering determination, they are poised to make their final performance at the US Open a memorable one. Do you think Townsend and Young can win the mixed doubles title? Let us know in the comments below.