[Chip_s_m]

It's about time this kid got his own thread. He just qualified for his first ATP tournament in Houston, beating Phillip King (rank 353) and Alex Reichel (rank 1014, although he has been much higher). In January he made it to the semifinals of the Australian Open junior tournament. He's only 15, and according to his ITF bio is 5'7" and only 120 lbs! Anyone ever see him play? It looks like he's got a good future ahead of him.

http://www.atptennis.com/3/en/player...ison%2C+ry

http://www.itftennis.com/juniors/pla...ayer=100099095

[SHB]

Here's a Tennis Week profile of him:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lzfmrAA14z0

There are a couple other short videos of him playing if you search "Ryan Harrison."

Never seen him play, but I've read very positive things about him from those who have. He's said to have a good all-around game. Likes to come to net. Pretty aggressive. Above average athleticism. No glaring weaknesses. In addition to his Australian Open run, Harrison was a quarterfinalist at the Nationals in Kalamazoo and a quarterfinalist at the Orange Bowl. He played Paul Capdeville in qualifying at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and lost respectably, 7-5, 6-4. He may be the #2 player in his age group after Bernard Tomic, the 15-year-old Australian wunderkind. There are some others in the discussion, though: Filip Krajinovic, Yuki Bhambri, and Giacomo Miccini. Harrison hasn't played Tomic or Bhambri. He beat Miccini in straight sets recently and lost to Krajinovic 7-6 in the third at the Eddie Herr.

Ryan's 13-year-old brother, Christian, is considered better than Ryan at the same age. I believe their father has even said as much. Guillermo Vilas supposedly watched him at age 10 and said he was the best 10-year-old he had ever seen. Christian just won a fairly big 16-and-under tournament last week.

Tennis Week did a profile of Christian as well:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dOPf...eature=related

None of this guarantees anything, but they are certainly ones to watch. Ryan is probably the best American prospect under the age of 18. Rhyne Williams is very talented as well, but he hasn't really done much to speak of lately. Not sure what's going on there.

[Grinder]

Ryan's got a huge future ahead of him if he keeps up the progress that he's been making. I believe he made the quarters of a futures in Mexico towards the end of last year. I was also impressed with the score he put up against Capdeville and the number of times he managed to break him.

On a side note, Rhyne Williams had been playing futures in Spain (arguably the toughest futures circuit) for the past couple months While he didn't manage to get a win in any of hte main draws, he qualified 2/3 that he attempted. I think it's a pretty good way to gain experience on the surface.

[jeahhh!]

Wow he is doing well so far

[Deboogle!.]

unbelievable and he seems to be a nice kid too.

[SHB]

I have a feeling that people are going to want to know more about Harrison after this performance, so here's a video interview with him from the Australian Open:

http://www.usta.com/audiovideo_austr...LL&contentId=1

[Smoke944]

Ryan killed Cuevas...impressive..can't wait to see him at the Zoo this year

[SHB]

6-4, 6-3 . . . against the #95 player in the world . . . on clay . . . his opponent's best surface . . . and thought to be Harrison's worst surface.

This will receive a lot of attention.

[SHB]

He'll play either James Blake or Kei Nishikori next.

[Deboogle!.]

Originally Posted by SHB

I have a feeling that people are going to want to know more about Harrison after this performance, so here's a video interview with him from the Australian Open:

http://www.usta.com/audiovideo_austr...LL&contentId=1

Thanks!

Originally Posted by SHB

6-4, 6-3 . . . against the #95 player in the world . . . on clay . . . his opponent's best surface . . . and thought to be Harrison's worst surface.

This will receive a lot of attention.

Indeed it should

Originally Posted by SHB

He'll play either James Blake or Kei Nishikori next.

Would be great for him to get the opportunity to play James.

[SHB]

Here are some pictures of him from the Osaka Mayors Cup, a grade A ITF tournament that he won in October:

[NicoFan]

For the first time in a long time, I'm excited about an up and coming American.

And one who can play clay. It's like a miracle...

[Deboogle!.]

[Chip_s_m]

ATP website has updated his profile. He's now listed at 6'0" (182 cm) and 160 lbs. (72 kg). Plus there's a picture.

http://www.atptennis.com/3/en/player...ison%2C+ry

[SHB]

I've always seen his birthday listed as May of 1992. The ATP probably got that wrong. Or else it's been wrongly listed for years by other sources.