A junior world No. 1 who brought his lefty game to pickleball
Young was born in Chicago and grew up in the Atlanta area, where his parents, Illona and Donald Young Sr., coached tennis. He became the youngest boys’ Australian Open junior champion in 2005, finished that season as the year-end junior world No. 1 and added the Wimbledon boys’ singles title in 2007.
His professional tennis career reached No. 38 in ATP singles and No. 43 in doubles. Young made the US Open singles fourth round twice, reached the 2017 French Open men’s doubles final and closed his tennis career alongside Taylor Townsend in the 2024 US Open mixed doubles final before focusing on professional pickleball.
What stands out about Donald Young’s pickleball game?
Young combines fast court coverage, quick hands and a two-handed backhand with the left-handed spin that distinguished his tennis career. His singles game makes especially visible use of his movement and ability to defend space.