This year’s Australian Open is turning into a playground of sorts for those who have come through the US College ranks. In the men’s 3rd Rd. there are no less than 8 players who have forged their way through the college path: Ben Shelton, Francisco Cerundolo, Learner Tien, Cameron Norrie, Valentin Vacherot, Nuno Borges, Eliot Spizzirri, and 21-year-old Ethan Quinn, who is playing his debut main draw in Melbourne.
When asked what he thinks is the general characteristic of the college alumni, Quinn was pretty quick to answer.
“We’re willing to go out and get it.
I think that’s something that you have to learn going through college. You have to be really able to go out and get it. Sometimes you can get lost in the fact that there is 10 of you on a team, 12 of you on a team.
You have to make sure that you’re also doing things for yourself. Coaches aren’t going to do everything just for you, so you have to really make sure that you are going out and making sure you’re doing things for yourself. You know, whether it’s getting extra reps with individuals, going to see the strength and conditioning coach extra, rather than doing two lifts a week, doing three maybe.
So I think that’s certainly a trait that NCAA champs probably would have, is they’re willing to go out and get it, and they’re going to be loud about when they get it.”
Getting Used to Grand Slam Matches
Quinn has won his opening two matches against established players, Tallon Griekspoor, and Hubert Hurkacz, without dropping a set. While he’s yet to be really pushed physically, he’s becoming more aware of how to handle the best-of-five set format.
“I think my first five-set match that I played I was really neurotic about how to get ready for it. I remember calling my coach and being, like, Do I set an alarm every half hour in the middle of the night to hydrate? I wasn’t really prepared for it.
But now I feel like I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable with it, and I know my training has got me ready. I know how to hydrate the day before. I know how to kind of stay off my feet the day before.
So now going into five sets, you know it’s all about being physical early, if you are able to set the tone early. Sometimes you can see guys tap out a little bit. Two-out-of-three sets, you’re never going to see that, really. Everyone is very physical.”
The Australian Open was the final Slam to tick off for Quinn, as far participation in the main draw. But he’s certainly not in position to take it for granted yet.
“I think each slam you get to experience something different. First time making third round here. First time winning a slam match here.
So I think it’s a little bit different than the French (where he made 3rd Rd last year). I haven’t yet won a Grand Slam match at US Open, which I’m looking forward to eventually doing in my career, but I’m still trying to make sure that ‘awe moment’ doesn’t leave every time you make a deep run. I think that’s something I’m going to try to keep throughout my career.”
The Atmosphere at the Australian Open Suits Him
Specifically in regards to the Australian Open, the raucous atmosphere is something that sits very comfortably with him.
“Last year in quallies there wasn’t quite as many people. I’d played on Court 14, so there wasn’t as much foot traffic. It was really quiet.
As I’ve now gotten in the main draw here, I’ve realized how rowdy it is, how electric it is, especially now playing on a stadium court. There was a lot of Polish fans out there, which kind of reminded me as if I was in college. There was a lot of people yelling and chanting.
Some people, you missed the first serve, and they’re chanting that you missed the first serve. So it really reminded me of college, and you know, kind of brought me back to this, like, whoa, I’m-here-now moment.
I love it. It doesn’t matter where I’m at. If they’re cheering against me, for me, everything, I just love being in that atmosphere.”
Off court, Quinn likes to get out and about where he can on his off days, and the Zoo was his location of choice earlier in the week, but he also enjoys competing in more tranquil pastimes.
“Trying to have fun. You are only in Melbourne so much of the year, so I was just trying to do as much as I can yesterday while also staying out of the sun.
I’ve been [playing] a little bit more Backgammon this week with my coaches, but looking to try to get into chess a little bit more.
It’s a form of competing. I like to compete in whatever it is, the strategy involved with it, so I think that’s kind of the thing I like about it the most.”
Quinn will face off against Jakub Mensik, the 16th seed, in Rd.3 on Saturday. The forecast temperature is expected to hit 40C+, so there’s no doubt he’s about to discover just how tough the best-of-five format can be.
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