You’ve got to be a pretty unique talent to be asked to hit with not one, but two world No.1 players.
Step forward, Oliver Bonding.
The Brit, juggling his school studies in maths and economics, as well as his season-ending aim to reach the ATP Top 500, is currently stateside and in contention for junior Grand Slam glory at the 2025 US Open.
It was just four years ago that Wimbledon-based Bonding got his first true taste at the top.
Just down the road from home, a 14-year-old Bonding found himself in close proximity to the eventual Wimbledon 2021 champion.
“Miles Maclagan, my former coach and still a great friend of mine, took me to hit at [the practice courts at] Aorangi Park before Wimbledon started," Bonding told USOpen.org at Flushing Meadows. "Only Ash Barty was there too playing with her coach."
“It was during the Covid pandemic, so no one could get in. I got a message asking for a hit, and I did a few sessions with her.
“It was super cool to practice with the world No.1 of the time, it was amazing.”
Connections certainly help in life, and Bonding has crossed paths with another tour-leading icon through coaching royalty.
“This year I’ve got to practice with [Jannik] Sinner a few times, another No.1," the 18-year-old continued. "You can take a lot of lessons playing with the top players."
“I warmed up Sinner for the Australian Open final [the Italian ended up retaining the title], then I played with him at the French Open a few times.”
And there's so much to gain from hitting with these top names. “Feeling the balls is the big one, feeling the rhythm, seeing how he practices," the boys' No. 14 seed said. "I would watch [Sinner's] techniques, just see what he does in those sessions. I’m very proactive when I’m practing with them."
“My mum has known one of his coaches for a long time because we used to live in Las Vegas when I was two to five. We were neighbours with Darren Cahill. Mum is friends with his wife. So, he’s given me some advice. Darren texts me sometimes around big matches or big results—that means a lot.”
Based at the LTA’s National Tennis Centre, a short drive from Wimbledon in Roehampton (where Wimbledon qualifying takes place), Bonding continues his development and has also pitched his game against Great Britain’s leading light Jack Draper.
“When you practice with these players, it automatically makes you raise your level,” Bonding explained.
“I don’t feel I’m too far off that level. It's about doing what they do on a consistent basis. The gaps in the levels of tennis is very small. It feels close when you hit with them, but then other times you’re not able to sustain it—that’s what I’m working on.”
Bonding’s mother used to live in New York, so the Big Apple has a big place in his heart from visits as a kid.
Growing up it was the “finesse of (Roger) Federer” and the “all out aggression” from 2020 US Open champion Dominic Thiem that inspired the Brit in his early days.
A student of the sport, he has gone back to watch highlights of the great matches, such Juan Martin Del Potro winning in 2009, and when Novak Djokovic saved two match points against Federer (2010, 2011).
However, the current world No. 816, didn’t quite sense the true magic of the US Open until witnessing his compatriot from courtside.
“When I came here in 2023 to play (juniors), I watched Jack Draper play against Michael Mmoh. That was actually on Grandstand where I played today, which is pretty cool,” added the 18-year-old, a keen Formula One fan. “That was the first match I ever watched live here.”
Draper has elevated to greater heights, and Bonding is also on a steep upward trajectory.
In 2025 alone, he’s defended the U18 National title, won an ITF professional title at the M15 Lannion in France as well as competing in the Wimbledon boys’ doubles final on No.1 Court alongside American Jagger Leach.
Those milestone moments have provided the platform for Bonding to launch into a maiden junior Grand Slam singles quarterfinal. On Wednesday, he denied No. 2 seed Andres Santamarta Roig, 6-3, 6-4 with his booming serve and agile movement, despite being a “big lad” at 6-foot-4.
“It’s a great feeling, I didn’t expect much coming into this week. I didn’t have a great record in the Slams, so I just wanted to have fun out there,” Bonding beamed.
“I’m very happy how I’ve been playing, and hopefully I can keep it going. I think the main thing is just being in the mix with these guys.”
Should the teenager fall to Brazil’s Luis Guto Miguel in the Elite 8 in Grandstand, maybe Bonding can expect a call from Team Sinner for another session.
“If I’m not playing, I’d definitely be up for that. I’ll keep an eye on his matches for sure. Let’s see how my tournament progresses first!”
