Top five youngest debutants in US Open history

Kathleen Horvath made her US Open debut when she was just 14 years old.

Dating back to 1987, the US Open has always been the final Grand Slam of a calendar year, throwing new stars into the mix to look forward to in the following year.

Age is no barrier, as historically, the Grand Slam has witnessed some of the youngest debutants taking on experienced veterans. The 2023 US Open saw several such upsets. Dominic Stricker beat Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Ben Shelton beat Francis Tiafoe.

While several youngsters are rapidly rising through the ranks, the old veteran and defending champion, Novak Djokovic, will continue to stand in the way in the final grand slam of the year.

Participation in such an iconic Grand Slam is a massive achievement, and at a young age, it provides athletes with exposure and teachings that come in handy in future tournaments.

Today we will take a look at some of the youngest debutants in the history of the US Open.

5. Tracy Austin (15 years, 90 days)

In January 1977, a month after turning fourteen, Tracy Austin won her first professional singles title, defeating Stacy Margolin at the Avon Futures event in Portland. She made her Wimbledon debut first wherein she reached the third round.

In September, she made her US Open debut at the age of only 15 and reached the quarterfinal, falling to fifth-seeded Betty Stöve. The American turned professional in 1978 and went on to win two US Open titles in her 17-year-long illustrious career.

4. Martina Hingis (14 years, 311 days)

Martina Hingis burst onto the international scene at the 1994 US Open, competing at the age of 14 years and 311 days. This debut marked the beginning of an extraordinary career that would rewrite tennis history books throughout the 1990s.

Hingis quickly became known for shattering age-related records. She claimed the title of youngest Grand Slam champion and ascended to the world No. 1 ranking earlier than any player before her. Her dominance on the court translated to financial success off it, Hingis was the top-earning female athlete worldwide for five straight years in latter part of 90s and early 2000’s.

Also read: US Open: Full List of Title winners

3. Jennifer Capriati (14 years, 235 days)

Throughout her career, Jennifer Capriati has several “youngest ever to win” titles to her name. The American was the youngest player to reach a tour final, the youngest player to reach the semifinals at the French Open, the youngest seeded player ever at Wimbledon and the youngest player to qualify for the season-ending championships. She was also the fourth-youngest player to win a WTA Tour title.

At the 1990 US Open, Capriati became one of the few players to have played the Open at the age of just 14 and defeated Sabatini in the quarters but lost in the semis to eventual champion Monica Seles in a third-set tiebreak after serving for the match twice. The American wrapped up her career with three Grand Slams including 2 Australian and 1 French Open titles.

2. Mary Joe Fernández (14 years, 8 days)

In 1985, aged 14 years and eight days, Mary Joe Fernández became the youngest player to win a main draw match at the US Open when she defeated Sara Gomer in the first round. In 1980, she reached her first singles’ Grand Slam final at the Australian Open where she was beaten by the legendary Steffi Graf.

The American had a more successful stint overall in doubles, in which she won three Grand Slams, but was unable to win a major Slam in her singles career.

1. Kathleen Kathy Horvath (14 years, 5 days)

The record of being the youngest US Open debutant belongs to Kathleen Kathy Horvath, who played her first main draw at Flushing Meadows in 1979 at the age of 14 years five days. In the the qualifiers, the American defeated Frenchwoman Brigitte Simon-Glinel 6-4, 6-4 before taking down Anne Chevalier in the second round. Horvath then beat Czech player Yvona Brzakova to script history by advancing to the main draws.

She lost the first round of the main draw to Australia’s Dianne Balestrat but soon after, became the youngest US Open champion at the age of 16 years, eight months and 28 days, defeating four-time defending champion Chris Evert, 6-4, 6-3, in an all-American final.

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