Forty-four Americans (23 women and 21 men) completed the main draw of the US Open. Removing the 54 that acted in 2020, a year in which there were travel restrictions for foreigners due to Covid-19, 44 is the most since the 47 in 2002. And Taylor Fritz, number 12 in the ranking, started as tenth pre-classified and maximum local hope to end the prolonged drought of local titles in the Big Apple: Andy Roddick’s, in 2003, was the last. However, the last champion of Indian Wells said goodbye on the first night, feeling “an idiot” for thinking that he would actually have a chance to conquer the last major it’s from the season.
Of course, the surprise in the Grandstand of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center was not only due to the elimination of Fritz, but also because of who his executioner was, someone -practically- unknown in the circuit. In his first main draw del tour, Brandon Holt, born 24 years ago in Rolling Hills (California) and 303rd in the ATP ranking, was the one who won 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-1), 6-3 and 6-4 , in 3h05m, securing a check for US$121,000 (in his entire career he had earned US$70,599). Of course, Holt’s story has an extra spice: he is the son of a US tennis legend like Tracy Austin, who in 1979, at 16 years and 8 months, became the youngest champion in US Open history, a distinction that remains today.
It was just a year ago that Holt’s right hand was in a cast following delicate surgery. Doctors diagnosed a benign tumor in the fourth metacarpal. “His career was in danger. But he returned to the tour and became stronger, so he is even more than grateful for what happens to him, ”confid Austin, number 1 in the world in 1980. Right-handed, 1.85 meters and a former university player (from the University of Southern California), received an invitation to dispute the classification of the US Open, he surpassed it by defeating more experienced players than him (the French Alexandre Muller, 143°; the Ecuadorian Emilio Gómez, 115°; and the Bulgarian Dimitar Kuzmanov, 159°) and , in his first high-ranking challenge on tour, delivered the big blow. “I had a lot of fun, there were friends and family on the court, in a great stadium. So far, the biggest I’ve played in,” Holt beamed.
Austin, who lost the only match she played with Gabriela Sabatini (in Los Angeles 1993), describes herself as the “architect” of her son’s career, but not as his coach. She advises Brandon at specific times, but doesn’t invade him. She started the year in the 830th position, winning a (former) Future, the M15 in Cancun, but with the points obtained so far in New York, she is sure to make a big jump in the positions, up to the 214th step (+89). ). “Because of the hand injury I was out for regarding eight months. I basically had to start from scratch from the bottom. I did well in my first three tournaments, I won all three in a row following a long time without joy. From there to here it’s been a very fast climb,” described Holt, the son of a player who, at the time, was noted as a child prodigy, although she retired prematurely.
After winning the 1979 US Open ( once morest Chris Evert), Austin repeated the conquest two seasons later, beating another legend like Martina Navratilova. In a brief but furious career he added 30 titles in 44 finals played. Back problems and arthritis marked his decline. He was barely able to play when, in 1983, he announced his professional retirement. At the time, he tried some returns to the circuit, but a car accident frustrated any hope of continuity. Of course, he continued to be linked to the sport of rackets as a commentator on different TV networks and, in 1992, he became the youngest person (29 years old) inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame, and Newport.
“My mother is an incredible competitor. I think just seeing her do things on a day-to-day basis makes you realize: she’s 100 percent or nothing. I’ve never seen her give less than 100 percent and it’s always like that. I think that’s the biggest thing I’ve learned. Whether playing tennis or playing cards, she is not going to lose. She will stretch across the table and rip your heart out and then she will hug you,” Holt recounted. Of course the American dreams of more. His rival this Wednesday, for the second round, will be the Argentine Pedro Cachin (66th), who beat the Slovenian 6-4, 6-3, 5-7, 1-6 and 7-6 (10-6) Aljaz Bedene, in 3h46m. For the Cordovan, it was his first victory at the US Open, the second in the main draw of a Grand Slam (the first was at the last Roland Garros). In addition, the tennis player from Bell Ville was the only Argentine to win, as Nadia Podoroska was eliminated by the Slovakian Anna Karolina Schmiedlova 6-3, 6-2.
At Holt’s press conference, at midnight on the first day of the US Open, Holt heard – as a final question – what would happen if someone had told him at the beginning of the year that he would make his debut in the American major and that he would beat the 10th seed. “I do not know. He would probably call them crazy. It has been a roller coaster. It was fun. I’m so happy. Being in the second round is absolutely incredible. I achieved the biggest victory of my career. But you have to go for more. That is one of my mother’s teachings”, concluded the Californian. And his mother knows something regarding this sport.