By DOUG IRELAND, Journal Sports
Shreveport native Christian Harrison isn’t resting on his laurels after teaming with Great Britain’s Neal Skupski, a former LSU star, to win the U.S. Open men’s doubles championship Saturday in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.
He’s enjoying the afterglow, yes. But not at home in Florida. Monday, he flew to Prague to begin preparation for this weekend’s Davis Cup match playing for the United States against Czechia.
Among his teammates will be U.S. Open singles runner-up Ben Shelton. Harrison was added to the American side in February and made his Davis Cup debut that month in Hungary.
Harrison enters as the top-ranked American man in doubles at No. 4 in world rankings. The Florida resident, who trains at IMG Academy in Bradenton, made his Davis Cup in the qualifying match against Hungary, just one week after winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title. Harrison clinched victory for the Americans, alongside Florida partner Austin Krajicek.
The U.S. will take on Czechia Friday and Saturday at the O2 Arena (indoor hard court) in Prague with a spot in the Davis Cup Final 8 on the line.
The Second Round Qualifying is a best-of-five match series starting with two singles matches on Friday, continuing with a doubles match and two more singles matches beginning on Saturday. The first nation to win three out of those five matches will advance to the eight-nation Davis Cup Final 8 to compete for this year’s worldchampionship November 24-29 in Bologna, Italy.
Speaking to media following the U.S. Open championship match Saturday, the 32-year-old Harrison considered his injury-plagued path in his pro career and said his family provided inspiration.
“You always have doubts, especially when — I mean, I had eight surgeries, missed eight-, nine-plus years of just stopping, starting. Of course, there’s always a little bit (of doubt), especially as you’re getting older, and you realize your body is not recovering the same, but I never lost, yeah, my joy for playing.
“My parents, my family, they gave me everything I need to never give up. Luckily my dad taught me how to play doubles when I was younger, (and I) had a game that could translate into the doubles, because it doesn’t happen as smoothly for everybody.
“I’m as happy playing as I’ve ever been,” he said after becoming only the fifth American man this century to win the U.S. Open doubles crown.
His father, former Pierremont Oaks Tennis Club and Shreveport Country Club pro Pat Harrison, hustled to New York City for the championship match and it made the win all the more emotional.
“Oh, so much. As soon as we won the semis, (in a) home (grand) slam, I just wanted everybody (here) that had given me the opportunity to play,” said the champion. “I really feel like when I win matches, any kind, when we win together, they’re happier than I am when I’ve won a match.
“ I want them to be here and to share it now,” he said, adding he was eager to wrap up with the media and pop celebratory champagne with Skupski and his entourage, the Harrison family and friends.
The duo did not drop a set in six matches as the fifth seeds, including a victory over the top seeded team in the semis. It was only the third time in the Open Era to win the title in straight sets each time on the courts.
Their press conference wrapped up with a question asking if their first Slam win, in January at the Australian Open, or this victory was more meaningful.
Harrison said each has its own unique joy, but …
“I would say the Open will live longer. You’re American, winning at home, and the family all got to be here, so that will be more special for a long time in terms of just pure satisfaction.
“Winning the first one in Australia, new partnership, the first time doing it where it’s just a Grand Slam champion, I’ll never forget that feeling, because I remember the nerves I felt going in where you have this performance pressure, and you’re just finding a way to settle that.
“Got a lot of confidence from that. So they’re two different things. That’s the best way I can summarize it.”
This week, he’s processing it in Prague, before stepping back into the world tennis spotlight Friday.
Contact Doug at sbjdoug@gmail.com