‘Devastated’: Deaths of two 14-year-old prodigies rocks tennis world

Two teenage tennis stars have been killed in a “catastrophic” car accident that has left the community heartbroken.

Hassenbein and Falkowitz were killed on Wednesday night. Photo: Twitter

The tennis world has been rocked by the deaths of two 14-year-old prodigies in New York.

Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz were killed near Jericho by a suspected drunk driver who was travelling the wrong way down the Long Island expressway.

Two other boys, aged 16 and 17, who were also in the car are in a stable condition in hospital.

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The driver a Dodge Ram Amandeep Singh, 34, allegedly crashed into the boys’ Alfa Romeo before trying to flee the scene.

The boys’ car struck a tree after the collision and Hassenbein and Falkowitz were pronounced dead at the scene.

“The male subject tried to leave the scene on foot,” captain Stephen Fitzpatrick of the Nassau County Police Department told the Long Island Press.

He added: “It was probably one of the most catastrophic scenes I have seen in a long time. If you had been there, you would have seen the debris field, it was almost like the car exploded.”

Singh has been charged with aggravated vehicular homicide, two counts of manslaughter second degree, vehicular manslaughter, two counts of second degree assault, leaving the scene of a death and driving while intoxicated. He will be held without bail until facing court on May 8.

The criminal complaint revealed that Singh had admitted to “consuming alcoholic beverages”, blowing 0.18 on a breath test.

New York outlet PIX 11 reported: “Singh was so drunk, he told officers he thought he was in New Jersey.”

The pair were remembered at "best friends". Photo: Facebook / Christopher Morley Tennis

The community was devastated by the loss. Photo: Facebook / Christopher Morley Tennis

Police confirmed the teenagers were on their way home from a restaurant after a tennis competition.

“The kids were on a tennis team for their school. They were at a local tennis event and then went to get food at the mall,” Fitzpatrick said.

“They were on their way home from a restaurant.”

A mother of a student who attended the same school as the victims said: “The whole community is devastated. These lives touched everybody.”

Hassenbein’s and Falkowitz’s tennis coach said both teenagers were “amazing guys” and “best friends” who started playing tennis when they were just five-years-old and were both already on the varsity tennis team.

Hassenbein was also a nationally ranked tennis player.

He ranked 38th in the US for 14 & Under players.

Hassenbein also tossed the coin ahead of the 2021 US Open Final won by Daniil Medvedev over Novak Djokovic.

Drew Hassenbein tossed the coin before the 2021 US Men's Final. Photo: USTA.com

Reporter for New York’s WABC-TV Eyewitness News commented: “My heart breaks for the entire Roslyn community tonight. Please don’t drink and drive. It was tennis stars Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz who were killed in Jericho last night, but this could have been any of our kids.”

The Roslyn Bulldogs Tennis Instagram account said: “Drew and Ethan were the best of us. They had the biggest hearts and the most contagious smiles. They were outstanding tennis players with the brightest futures. We will forever miss their laughter and company. They were our family.

“We love you guys so much. We would do anything for one more second with you both. Life is unfair and takes away the best people.

“Fly high boys.”

Racquet Magazine senior editor Ben Rothenberg tweeted: “Horrible news from Long Island: one of the boys killed was Drew Hassenbein, a highly-ranked young player who was chosen to perform the coin toss between Djokovic and Medvedev before the 2021 US Open men’s final.”

USTA Eastern posted: “USTA Eastern is heartbroken over the tragic loss of Drew Hassenbein & Ethan Falkowitz, two members of the Roslyn High School tennis team on Long Island.

“We extend our thoughts & prayers to their families, teammates and loved ones.”

Long Island Tennis Magazine added: “The Long Island tennis community has suffered a tremendous loss.

“We mourn the tragic passing of Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz, and extend our thoughts and prayers to the Hassenbein’s, Falkowitz’s, the Roslyn tennis team and everyone affected by this horrific tragedy.”

Originally published as ‘Devastated’: Deaths of two 14-year-old prodigies rocks tennis world