Austen Denis Childs (born 23 February 1989) is a New Zealand former tennis player.[1]
| Full name | Austen Denis Childs |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  New Zealand |
| Born | 23 February 1989 Mount Maunganui, New Zealand |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 1–0 (Davis Cup) |
| Highest ranking | No. 1504 (20 Mar 2006) |
Childs grew up in Mount Maunganui and was ranked amongst the world's top 50 players on the ITF Junior circuit, with a quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open a highlight.[2]
Instead of professional tennis, Childs opted to attend college at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and play collegiate tennis. As a junior in 2010 and unseeded, he became the first New Zealander to make an NCAA Division I Championship final. He was beaten in the final by Bradley Klahn of Stanford.[3]
Two-weeks after making the NCAA final he was called into the New Zealand Davis Cup team, captained by his childhood coach Marcel Vos, for a tie against Pakistan in Taranaki.[4] Considered a surprise selection, Childs was used for the deciding fifth rubber, picked ahead of Michael Venus who had earlier played a lengthy match in losing to Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. Childs was able to defeat Aqeel Khan in straight sets to secure the tie for New Zealand.[5]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Tennis: Two newcomers named in NZ Davis Cup team". Otago Daily Times. 16 June 2010.
- ^ "Coach ecstatic as Austen rolls on". NZ Herald. 25 January 2006.
- ^ "Tennis: Childs beaten in NCAA final". Otago Daily Times. 1 June 2010.
- ^ "Excited Childs set for cup debut". NZ Herald.
- ^ Hills, Murray (24 July 2010). "Childs makes most of chance to impress". Stuff.co.nz.