By Scoop Malinowski
Status: ATP no. 422. Is playing this week at Matsuyama Challenger where as a qualifier he has beaten Yosuke Watanuki and Li Tu in straight sets to reach the QF. Jung’s best ATP ranking was 114 and he has a career match record of 11-23 with career prize earnings of $1,075,356.
Ht: 5-11 Wt: 152
DOB: June 15, 1989 In: Torrance, CA
Tennis Inspirations: My dad and my brother. Because they were the first ones to get out on the court with me.
First Tennis Memory: I got my first racquet when I was nine. My first sponsorship. I won ten sectionals and they gave me two racquets and a tennis bag – Prince.
First Famous Player You Encountered: I think Pete Sampras. It must have been the Mercedes Open in LA. (Autograph?) I don’t think so. I wasn’t a kid with the autographs. But I think he was busy practicing as well.
Greatest Career Moment: I’d say 2012 I won the University Games in Taiwan. And to play as a Taiwanese was pretty good.
Most Painful Moment: … Don’t have any.
Favorite Tournaments: Newport, Rhode Island (first ATP QF was at Newport 2018). And what used to be New York Open ATP 250 (qualified and reached SF in 2020, beat Kushnirovich, Krueger, Anderson, Norrie, Opelka, lost to Seppi).
Funny Tennis Memory: Probably Covid.
Best You Ever Felt On Court: That’s a tough one… probably not even a pro match. It was an open and I won 60 60. Just right of college (Michigan). In Seattle.
Strangest Match: A line call. I had a line call where I hit the serve and it was inside by a lot. And they called it out. It’s on You Tube. People posted it as ‘world’s worst calls.’ (Where?) I don’t remember.
Favorite Players To Watch: I’d say Fabrice Santoro. Growing up that was my favorite player.
Favorite Artists: Like musician? (Or painters) Growing up, probably Coldplay or Maroon 5.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Rocky Road.
Funniest Player Encountered: …Connor Smith. I don’t know if you know him but he used to play for Ohio State. Probably the funniest guy I know.
Last Book Read: I haven’t… so don’t tell my mom [smiles].
Why Do You Love Tennis: It’s given me everything I have.
People Qualities Most Admired: Probably hard working, humble. And determination.
ATP · Jason Jung · University of Michigan
