Tracy Austin is one of the most iconic figures in tennis history.
Austin, a winner of two Grand Slam titles, stunned the tennis world in 1979 when she won her first Grand Slam title at 16 years old.
The American instantly became the youngest Grand Slam champion in history: a record that still stands to this day.
How did the young star achieve such an extraordinary feat?
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Tracy Austin’s path to the 1979 US Open title
Despite being only 16 years old, Tracy Austin came into the 1979 US Open as the third seed; behind only Chris Evert and Martina Navrátilová.
Austin quickly proved that her age would not be an inhibiting factor, beating Ivanna Madruga, Andrea Jaeger, and Kate Latham in straight sets.
The American then fought past Kathryn Jordan in a three-set battle; and subsequently demolished Germany’s Sylvia Hanika in the quarter-finals, 6-1, 6-1.
Austin then stunned tennis legend Martina Navrátilová in the semi-finals, triumphing 7-5, 7-5.
The youngster completed her historic run by beating four-time defending champion Chris Evert in the final, 6–4, 6–3.
Austin won the title aged 16 years, eight months and 28 days.
“One of my best assets was my mental toughness and my ability to stay in the moment,” Austin said in a 2021 interview with the US Open.
“I felt like the final was an opportunity. I felt like I was 16. I did not know how many titles Chrissie had won or that I would be the youngest champion ever, beating Maureen Connolly’s record.
“Those kinds of things are important. But I didn’t feel pressure and I am sure Chrissie did. She was 24 and I was 16, and I am the kid coming up with a very similar style of play and mentality.
“I just went out there with the thought of how I would try to win this match.”
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Tracy Austin won her second US Open title in 1981
Austin was unable to defend her title in 1980, losing in the semi-finals to Chris Evert.
A year later, she won the US Open for a second time.
Austin defeated Evert in the semi-finals, ending her compatriot’s chances of reaching six consecutive US Open finals.
The second seed then defeated Martina Navrátilová to claim the title: 1-6, 7-6, 7-6.
After suffering a sciatic nerve injury earlier that year, Austin had turned her season around in a flash.
“After losing at Wimbledon, with this injury I was just really excited to come back,” Austin later said, as per UPI.
“I was excited to come back and I worked harder this summer than I ever have, getting into condition and into better shape than I was before.
“I really worked hard, so I feel that I deserved it. I really had to work hard to get through my injury.”
