Congratulations goes out to 18-year-old Ryan Harrison. Yesterday, the former New Braunfels resident upset 15th-seeded Ivan Ljubicic of Croatia 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the U.S. Open. This is Ryan’s his first victory in the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament.
Harrison qualified for the US Open via a wild-card playoff in Boca Raton, Fla., last month, even though he ended up losing in the final to Tim Smyczek. Temperatures in Boca Raton aided in his preparation for the heat yesterday. “Whereas it is extremely hot here, and it is tough outside, it’s not what it was in Boca,” Harrison said.
The humble Harrison excitedly admitted that he wants to be the country’s next tennis star but acknowledges that he has a way to go.
Harrison, now based in Bradenton, Fla., entered the tournament Wednesday ranked 220th but yesterday’s victory is expected to have him join the ATP’s top 200 for the first time; also being the youngest current member of that group in the rankings. His next game is in the second round on Friday against 36th-ranked Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine. We certainly wish him well in his lofty goals to be the next Tennis star.
Harrison attended the John Newcombe Tennis Academy from 2005-2008 when his father, Pat Harrison was head pro. Just next door to the John Newcombe Estate & Country Club.
Whether you want to live close to the John Newcombe Tennis Academy or in the market for a new home near a world class tennis facility for yourself, consider John Newcombe Estate & Country Club. The Estate’s Country Club premier tennis facility and pro shop designed by tennis legends John Newcombe and Cliff Drysdale, boasts 12 state-of-the-art hard courts with lighting for evening play, enabling you to enjoy the game of a lifetime day and night. With tennis legends John Newcombe and Cliff Drysdale managing your tennis amenity, you will receive The Ultimate Tennis Experience each and everyday in lovely New Braunfels.
A representative for Cliff Drsydale Management had this to say about Ryan’s on court success. “Ryan Harrison and his performance at the US Open is yet another fine example of the caliber of tennis player the John Newcombe program produces. New Braunfels truly is a tennis mecca, with the game of a lifetime deep-rooted in the community. We look forward to further enhancing the local tennis culture with the opening of the John Newcombe Country Club, and it’s modern, state-of-the-art tennis facility and training and social programs for both adults and juniors.”
