Gonzales Austin, a 16-year-old Perrine resident, spent the first seven years of his life in New York, and dreamed of someday playing in the
U.S. Open. He never imagined it would happen so soon. Austin, a Miami Ransom Everglades High junior, was a surprise winner at the 16s USTA national championship in Kalamazoo, Mich., last week, and his prize is a wild-card spot in the U.S. Open junior tournament Sept. 4-13, where he will share the grounds with the sport’s biggest stars. Austin was the No. 8 seed at nationals, and he defeated top seed Jack Sock of Nebraska 3-6, 7-5, 6-0. Sock, who had a stomach ache, had defeated Austin in three sets a few weeks earlier at another tournament. This definitely was the biggest achievement of my career, so far,” Austin said. Going to the U.S. Open is going to be amazing. I still can’t believe it. I just hope I don’t get too nervous and can get a few balls on the court.” Although Austin was an underdog at nationals, he believed in himself and endured five consecutive three-set matches to win the title. He won the Florida State 18s title earlier in the summer, which gave him a boost of confidence.
I thought I was better than my seeding all along, and I was excited to have another chance to play Jack because I got so close the other time and I really felt if I played my best, I could beat him,” Austin said.