Monday, Aug 26 – Article updated to include quotes from Ryan Seggerman, Scott Seggerman, Coronado Resident and former professional tennis player Randy Nixon, Tennis Academy Coach Steve Adamson, and High School Coach David Brummitt.
Coronado High School graduate Ryan Seggerman and his doubles partner Patrik Trhac earned a wildcard entry into the U.S. Open Grand Slam Tennis Tournament, the pair’s first ever. The bid caps off an extraordinary year during which Seggerman had the greatest rise in ranking of any men’s doubles player in the world.
Seggerman found out he earned the bid when a friend texted him the link to the wildcards. “The outpouring of encouragement and energy and support I’ve had since the announcement is just amazing,” said Seggerman. “I’m so blessed to have friends and family who honestly are equally or more excited than I am for this opportunity.”
After a grueling 14 months of travel, Seggerman and Trhac are reaping the fruits of their labor. The pair traveled to four continents that included 13 countries and nine states in the US. Their 74-20 record catapulted the pair from rankings of 2106 for Seggerman and 1568 for Trhac to tied at 91st in the world. They recently cracked the top ten for American doubles players.
“I’m most excited to get out and play in front of my parents and several college friends on one of the biggest stages in the sport,” said Seggerman. “Making my debut on the grand slam stage on home soil is something I will never take for granted, so I am just incredibly grateful to the USTA and the people who have believed in (us), and made this possible.”
The pair’s fairy tale story is just beginning. In January, they earned a wildcard bid into the Indian Wells ATP-1000 tournament, the highest-level professional tennis tournament that is not a Grand Slam. There, the underdogs beat the tournament’s sixth seed and captured the hearts of fans. They then lost a close match to eventual tournament champions Nikola Mektić and Wesley Koolhof, 6-4, 7-6 (6).
Ryan reflected on the pair’s improvement since Indian Wells, calling the win there “very fortunate. We have grown and matured a whole lot since then, and I think this time around we are coming in feeling a lot more that we belong at this stage.”
On either Wed., Aug. 28 or Thurs., Aug. 29, the pair will play Frenchman Albano Olivetti and India’s Yuki Bhambri, ranked 41 and 48 respectively. Seggerman, 6’4″, and Trhac, 6’6″, are ranked 91st. The pair will have the rare experience of playing against someone taller: Olivetti is 6’8″. Bhambri is not exactly undersized but at 6’1″ will be the shortest on the court.
Seggerman and Trhac avoided having to play a top-16 seed, and although they have their work cut out for them, the matchup increases the likelihood of a win and a move into Round 2.
“Obviously we will take things one match at a time, but I fully believe we can go deep in this tournament,” said Seggerman. “We will never take opportunities like this for granted, but I think we are a lot more settled into the idea that these sort of stages should be the norm for us, so I’m just really excited to go out and compete in the first of hopefully many US Opens in my career.”
Reactions From Around Town
Ryan’s parents Scott and Pam are of course proud of their son. They have been waiting for months to find out whether the pair would earn a bid, so when they heard the news, Scott described the feeling as a “major mental exhale.” “He’s crazy about the game, always has been,” Scott said, adding, “Being in Coronado was the best possible environment for Ryan.”
“Their consistency and yearlong commitment were rewarded by the USTA to grant them the wild card,” said Coronado resident Randy Nixon, who himself played in several grand slam tournaments. “They have a tough first round playing experienced doubles specialists but I am sure they will be ready.”
“He is super smart, super quick, has super light feet and very, very capable hands,” said David Brummit, Seggerman’s Coronado High School tennis coach. “You need all of those things … to have power one moment and touch and quickness the next.” Brummitt called him, “the nicest young man you could meet.”
Schedule of Play at the US Open
Check here for the schedule of play. Although some of the US Open action will be broadcast on ESPN, all courts will be streamed on ESPN3 and ESPN+. They are guaranteed at least $25,000 for earning an entry, and will take home $40,000 to split by advancing to Round 2. Check back for updates and wish them well by following them on Instagram @ryanseggerman and @patrik.trhac.
Huge Upswing for CHS Grad Seggerman: Sights on U.S. Open Tennis Tournament
CHS Grad Seggerman, Tennis Partner Trhac Win First-Ever ATP Match at Indian Wells (Updated)
