ATP Firsts: Ryan Harrison

Jan062018

Ryan Harrison discusses his first coach, first celebrity crush and meeting his wife

First tournament of 2018? First final. Navigating his way through a tricky draw at the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp, American Ryan Harrison has impressed at the start of the season with his athletic brand of tennis and the results are showing. He’ll face Nick Kyrgios in the championship match and will look to claim his second ATP World Tour crown following his victory in Memphis (d. Basilashvili) last year.

So it’s safe to say that Harrison has started off 2018 with a bang, but where did he truly start off? Let ATPWorldTour.com provide some insights – or rather, let’s let him:

First moment I realised I loved tennis

I was three years old. I remember going to work with my dad every day, he was a tennis pro, and I just couldn’t get enough of it. If I didn’t have time to hit with him, I’d be hitting on the wall or out there hitting with anyone I could. I knew I loved it.

First coach and most important lesson he/she taught me

My dad was my first coach and has always been a part of my team since I was a kid. The most important lesson he taught me was work ethic. He was always a big believer that if you put in the time and effort that you were going to get where you wanted to be and that you would get success some way or another.

First pinch-me moment on the ATP World Tour

I was 14 years old and a Junior in the US Open and I lost in the qualifying but Andy Roddick needed a warm-up. I was really excited about it and I remember I walked out and I had to warm him up for his night match.

First time I was recognised

Probably after Houston, where I won my first ATP match. I remember I went to get dinner in the mall there and people started picking up some traction because I won that match. People came over to the dinner table and I remember it being a new experience.