Just weeks ago in Montreal, 20-year-old American Jared Donaldson was well on his way to reaching his first tour-level quarterfinal, in a Masters 1000 event, no less. Twelve times previously, he had attempted to break through to that round and lost. This time, he was up, 6-0, 2-0 against former training partner Diego Schwartzman.
But Donaldson could not close it out, falling in a 0-6, 7-5, 7-5 battle. For many people, that would start a slump. For Donaldson, it was a chance to put things in perspective. He still had a lot of things to work on, and it was about getting right back out there and competing his hardest.
The very next tournament, he broke through, reaching the quarterfinals at the Masters 1000 event in Cincinnati, where he beat world No. 14 Roberto Bautista Agut in the first round of his run, which ended in a tight two-set defeat at the hands of the US Open's No. 10 seed, John Isner.
Now Donaldson is at a career-best No. 51 in the world and primed for another good run in Flushing Meadows just a year after reaching the third round in New York.
USOpen.org caught up with the rising young star before his opener against Nikoloz Basilashvili, whom he beat in Cincinnati.
USOpen.org: This tournament has always been a big one for you, especially last year. How does it feel coming back to New York after your run in 2016, making the third round?
Jared Donaldson: I think, for sure, I know what to expect. I’ve had a lot of experience now playing bigger matches throughout the entire year. I’ve got to make sure that I’m competing really hard mentally, I’m fighting mentally, I’m making adjustments if need be, and I’m competing and fighting for every point. I think if I do those things, I’ll have a successful tournament.
USOpen.org: You’ve worked your way up the rankings pretty quickly, on the verge of the Top 50. It only gets harder and harder, so what's the next step for you?
Jared Donaldson: That’s 100 percent true. It never gets easier, the higher you get in the rankings. But that’s the exciting part, too. If it was easy, if I was able to win every match, 6-0, 6-0, it wouldn’t be very fun, right? That’s part of why I love tennis. I love competing. I love competing with so many great competitors, fighting to win the match. It’s a lot of fun. And working really hard off the court, getting stronger, improving my game on the court – I think that it’s showing up in a lot of my results. It’s allowing me to be more consistent, and I feel that if I keep focusing on those things, I know I can keep improving. I know I can keep getting better.
USOpen.org: The US Open is different for you compared to the other Slams because you are an American but also because you’ve played the event more than any other major (three total main draws). What are some of your first memories of the US Open?
Jared Donaldson: I used to come to the US Open a lot when I was a kid. I’ve been coming here since I was 10 years old. I used to come during the first, second, third rounds. So those were my earliest memories. When I got to the final of Kalamazoo [the USTA Boys' National Championships], I didn’t win, but I got to the final. Obviously, I was bummed, but I think it was maybe the best thing that ever happened to me because I played [US Open] qualies, and I actually got to the final round, so that was an amazing experience.
USOpen.org: You haven’t gotten quite as much attention as some of the other rising American stars. What should fans know about Jared Donaldson?
Jared Donaldson: I’m an aggressive player. I try to take time away from my opponent. I want to be the best. I want to be Top 10. I want to be No. 1 in the world. I want to win Grand Slams. That’s my goal, and you only hit what you aim at, right? Whether or not I get there, who knows? But that’s my goal, and I’m going to work as hard as I can to achieve those goals until I can’t play tennis anymore or until I don’t want to.
USOpen.org: In a couple weeks, when you decompress and look back at this US Open, what will you want it to have looked like?
Jared Donaldson: Well, I hope I win the tournament. But to keep things in perspective, I’ve got to control what I can control. I can go out on Monday and play an unbelievable match, the best match of my life, and lose. That’s happened. And I can play the worst match of my life and win. So winning, losing – it’s not really in my control. I can do things to increase the opportunity to win, and I think those things are obviously competing really hard, fighting for every point and being aware of what’s going on on the court, having a good attitude and making adjustments, if need be. If I do that, I can’t get upset with myself.
USOpen.org: How much has it helped having coaches, like Taylor Dent, Jan-Michael Gambill and Mardy Fish, in your corner?
Jared Donaldson: It’s helped so much. Obviously, working with Taylor and Phil Dent and Taylor’s wife, Jenny, for two-and-a-half, three years – they really helped mold what my game is today. And this past year, working with Jan-Michael day-in and day-out. He's pushed me really hard and helped me get better and better on the ground, off the court, on the court, serve, everything. Mardy, as well. They both work in conjunction. I really am so blessed to have so many people that support me and are really involved in my tennis. I’m just thankful that all of us want what’s best for my game, and they care about my game, and they care about me. I’m very thankful that they’re in my life.
