Ahead of the Round 4 match between qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff and No. 7-seed Novak Djokovic, the USTA welcomed the family of Braun Levi to Arthur Ashe Stadium for the coin toss.
Braun was a nationally-ranked, rising tennis star at Loyola High School in Los Angeles. After a stellar high school career, where he graduated as one of the most decorated athletes in school history, he was on track to attend the University of Virginia.
Sadly, the tennis community lost the 18-year-old when he was tragically killed by a drunk driver earlier this year. To honor his legacy, Braun’s friends and family have adopted the mantra “Live like Braun,” reflecting the generosity, kindness and joy that Braun brought into every moment. The phrase also inspired the family’s Live Like Braun Foundation, as well as the Live Like Braun scholarship fund at Loyola High School.
His parents, Jennifer and Dan, and his sister, Adelle, joined Struff and Djokovic on court on Sunday, where they participated in the coin toss. His family’s participation in this match’s coin toss was a fitting tribute to Braun, who’d worked as a member of the ball crew team during a 2013 exhibition match at UCLA featuring Djokovic. During that event, the 24-time major champion handed Braun, then 8 years old, his racquet and encouraged him to play a point.
Sunday night’s coin toss reminded everyone that no matter the stakes, it’s important to lead with positivity and compassion. In other words, Live like Braun.
