‘Didn’t mind getting that call that early’: Cairns tennis prodigy claims first Grand Slam

One of Cairns best junior tennis stars has taken out a world title on one of the biggest stages, the US Open.

Australian tennis champion Ben Wenzel won the boys' 2024 wheelchair doubles US Open title with Dutch partner Ivar Van Rijt. Picture: Supplied

One of Cairns best junior tennis stars has taken out a world title on one of the biggest stages, the US Open.

Ben Wenzel, 17, took out the 2024 boys’ wheelchair doubles championship with his Dutch tennis partner Ivar van Rijt.

The second-seeded duo blitzed their way through the final, claiming a 6-2, 6-1 victory against American combination Charlie Cooper and Tomas Majetic at Flushing Meadows on Saturday.

Wenzel made history by becoming the first Australian junior wheelchair player to win a Grand Slam title.

Tennis coach Fred Lay said it was an incredible achievement.

“Couldn’t be more prouder of Ben, all the hard work he and his partner have put in to get this title, extremely proud of them,” Lay said.

Australian tennis champion Ben Wenzel (right) won the boys' 2024 wheelchair doubles US Open title with Dutch partner Ivar Van Rijt. Picture: Supplied

Australian tennis champion Ben Wenzel won the boys' 2024 wheelchair doubles US Open title with Dutch partner Ivar Van Rijt. Picture: Supplied

“He rang me in the early hours of the morning here when he won to tell me but I didn’t mind getting that early phone call.

“Last year they lost in the first round and put up a really good effort but did lose in the first round.

“They went back 12 months later and go all the way.”

It is the third career doubles title for the 17-year-old, who made his Grand Slam debut in last year’s US Open.

Wenzel took part in the singles tournament, being knocked out by the number one seed for a second year in a row.

“Last year he was beaten in two sets and he was really down on himself,” Lay said.

“This year he was beaten in three sets, again to the number one seed and he was a little down on himself again.

“But he should be very proud because he put in a lot to get there again this year.

“We are very proud of him.”

The newly crowned US Open doubles champion has a big finish to 2024 with a number of different tournaments back on home soil.

Wenzel has a long list of trophies in his cabinet but this by far will be the biggest.

“Thinking back to when I started, if you would one day say that I was the first to win a junior Grand Slam at an event like the US Open, I would be like, what, you’re crazy,” Wenzel said.

“The fact that I was the first one to do it is really cool.

“Ivar and I came together playing last year, we drew a really tough pair who eventually won the championship.

“When we both found out that we were going to play this year again, we were like okay, this is our chance, this is our redemption.

“We felt like we played a really solid match last year, and we felt like we had more in the tank for this year, and that definitely shows in the dominance of our results.”

Wenzel said it was his idols Dylan Alcott and Heath Davidson who paved the way for wheelchair tennis.

“In my personal development, Heath Davidson has probably made the biggest difference,” Wenzel said

“He’s always around the juniors, giving us tips, taking time out of his day to hit with us and showing us the ropes of professional circuits.

“Having him help prepare me for these big moments is a really big help, I have a lot of respect to him in that regard.

“I was inspired by Heath and Dylan winning the gold at the Paralympics, and then doubles.

“I really hope that I can use my US Open doubles title to inspire the next generation and say, hey, I was the first one to do it, but you can be the next ones to do it.

“Also seeing Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson winning the doubles as well, that really made the event special. To share that with two Aussies who won doubles titles, that’s awesome.”

Originally published as ‘Didn’t mind getting that call that early’: Cairns tennis prodigy claims first Grand Slam