Ryan Harrison facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ryan Harrison

Harrison at the 2023 Washington Open
Country (sports)	United States
Residence	Atlanta, U.S.
Born	(1992-05-07) May 7, 1992 (age 33) Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Turned pro	2007
Retired	January 2024
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach	Davide Sanguinetti
Prize money	US $4,814,670
Official website	ryanharrisontennis.com
Singles
Career record	118–159 (42.6%)
Career titles	1
Highest ranking	No. 40 (17 July 2017)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	3R (2018)
French Open	2R (2013)
Wimbledon	2R (2011, 2012, 2017, 2018)
US Open	3R (2016)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games	1R (2012)
Doubles
Career record	92–83 (52.57%)
Career titles	4
Highest ranking	No. 16 (20 November 2017)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	SF (2019)
French Open	W (2017)
Wimbledon	QF (2017)
US Open	QF (2012)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour Finals	SF (2017)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
US Open	1R (2019, 2023)
Team competitions
Davis Cup	SF (2012, 2018)

Ryan Harrison (born May 7, 1992) is an American former professional tennis player. He won one major singles title in his career. This was at the 2017 Memphis Open. He also won four doubles titles, including the 2017 French Open.

Before he turned 16, many people thought Ryan was a very talented player. He was one of the youngest players ever to win an ATP match. He reached the top 10 in junior rankings. By age 20, he was playing at the top ATP level. However, he then dropped out of the top 100 for a few years.

In 2016, Ryan returned to the top 100. He had a strong second half of the year. He beat several players ranked in the top 20. He also reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time. In 2017, he continued to play well. He won his first ATP title and reached his highest singles ranking of No. 40. He retired from professional tennis in January 2024 due to health issues.

About Ryan's Life

Ryan started playing tennis when he was just 2 years old. His father, Pat Harrison, was his coach. Pat had also played tennis professionally for a short time. Ryan went to IMG Academy, a famous sports school. He also trained with the USTA, which is the United States Tennis Association.

Ryan has a younger brother named Christian. Christian also plays tennis professionally. In 2012, Ryan and Christian played doubles together at the US Open. They made it all the way to the quarterfinals! Ryan also has a younger sister, Madison, who played tennis in college.

In 2016, Ryan got engaged to Lauren McHale. She is the sister of another tennis player, Christina McHale. Ryan and Lauren got married in April 2017. They later divorced.

Ryan's Junior Tennis Career

As a junior player, Ryan had a great record. He won 60 matches and lost 24. He reached a high ranking of No. 7 in the world for juniors in April 2008.

Here are his best results in junior Grand Slam tournaments:

• Australian Open: Semifinals (2008)
• French Open: Third Round (2008)
• Wimbledon: Second Round (2008)
• US Open: Third Round (2008)

Before playing on the junior circuit, Ryan trained at the John Newcombe Tennis Ranch. His first junior Grand Slam was the 2007 US Open. He was only 15 years old and got a special entry. He lost in the first round. At the 2008 Australian Open, he was a top player, seeded fourth. He lost in the semifinals. Even though he was only 16, the 2008 US Open was his last junior Grand Slam.

Ryan's Professional Career Highlights

Early Years (2007–2008)

Ryan Harrison is special because he was one of the youngest players to win an ATP match. Only Richard Gasquet and Rafael Nadal did it at a younger age since 1990. He beat Pablo Cuevas at the 2008 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships. Ryan was ranked around 1000 at the time. This made him the youngest American to achieve this since Michael Chang.

Breaking Through (2009–2011)

In 2009, Ryan won his first Futures title. This helped his ranking improve. In 2010, he got a special entry into the 2010 Australian Open. He lost in the first round. Later that year, he qualified for the US Open. He won his first Grand Slam match by beating the 15th seed, Ivan Ljubičić.

In 2011, Ryan won the Honolulu Challenger tournament. He also won the doubles title there. At the 2011 BNP Paribas Open, he beat Milos Raonic. This led to a match against world No. 3, Roger Federer, which he lost. Ryan made his first ATP semifinal in Atlanta. This helped him enter the top 100 players for the first time. He finished 2011 ranked No. 79 in the world.

Continued Play (2012–2015)

In 2012, Ryan played in the 2012 Summer Olympics. He lost in the first round. He also played in the Davis Cup for the U.S. team. In 2013, he beat John Isner at a tournament in Sydney. He also reached the semifinals in Atlanta.

The year 2014 was tough for Ryan. His ranking dropped to No. 190. In 2015, he won the Happy Valley Challenger. He also had a great run at the 2015 Abierto Mexicano Telcel tournament. He beat his first top-ten opponent, Grigor Dimitrov. He reached the semifinals there, which boosted his ranking.

Comeback and First Titles (2016–2017)

Ryan had a strong comeback in 2016. He reached the round of 16 at two big tournaments. At the US Open, he had his biggest win. He beat the 5th-seeded Milos Raonic. This helped him get back into the top 100.

In 2017, Ryan won his fourth Challenger title in Dallas. Then, he won his first career ATP singles title at the Memphis Open. He did not lose a single set in either of these tournaments! At the French Open, Ryan and his partner Michael Venus won the men's doubles title. This was a huge achievement! He reached his highest singles ranking of No. 40 in July 2017.

Later Career (2018–2024)

In 2018, Ryan reached two ATP singles finals. He also made a doubles final. He retired from professional tennis in January 2024.

Playing for Teams: World TeamTennis

Ryan has played for World TeamTennis (WTT) for three seasons. He joined the San Diego Aviators in 2016. He was named the Male Most Valuable Player (MVP) for WTT in 2016. He had the best winning percentage in men's singles. He also had the second-best winning percentage in men's doubles. The Aviators won the WTT championship in 2016. He continued to play for the Aviators in 2017 and 2018. He was also set to join them for the 2020 season.

Ryan's Tennis Style

Ryan is known for his powerful serve. He also plays a "counterpunching" game from the back of the court. This means he waits for his opponent to hit the ball and then hits it back strongly. He has a strong forehand shot. His second serve is also very good, both fast and with a lot of spin.

Major Tournament Finals

Grand Slam Doubles Final: 1 Title

Outcome	Year	Championship	Surface	Partner	Opponent	Score
Winner	2017	French Open	Clay	Michael Venus	Santiago González Donald Young	7–6(7–5), 6–7(4–7), 6–3

ATP Career Finals

Singles: 4 (1 Title, 3 Runner-ups)

Result	W–L	Date	Tournament	Tier	Surface	Opponent	Score
Win	1–0	Feb 2017	Memphis Open, United States	250 Series	Hard (i)	Nikoloz Basilashvili	6–1, 6–4
Loss	1–1	Jul 2017	Atlanta Open, United States	250 Series	Hard	John Isner	6–7(6–8), 6–7(7–9)
Loss	1–2	Jan 2018	Brisbane International, Australia	250 Series	Hard	Nick Kyrgios	4–6, 2–6
Loss	1–3	Jul 2018	Atlanta Open, United States	250 Series	Hard	John Isner	7–5, 3–6, 4–6

Doubles: 7 (4 Titles, 3 Runner-ups)

Result	W–L	Date	Tournament	Tier	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Win	1–0	Jul 2011	Hall of Fame Championships, United States	250 Series	Grass	Matthew Ebden	Johan Brunström Adil Shamasdin	4–6, 6–3, [10–5]
Win	2–0	Jul 2012	Atlanta Open, United States	250 Series	Hard	Matthew Ebden	Xavier Malisse Michael Russell	6–3, 3–6, [10–6]
Loss	2–1	Feb 2017	Memphis Open, United States	250 Series	Hard (i)	Steve Johnson	Brian Baker Nikola Mektić	3–6, 4–6
Win	3–1	May 2017	Estoril Open, Portugal	250 Series	Clay	Michael Venus	David Marrero Tommy Robredo	7–5, 6–2
Win	4–1	Jun 2017	French Open, France	Grand Slam	Clay	Michael Venus	Santiago González Donald Young	7–6(7–5), 6–7(4–7), 6–3
Loss	4–2	Jul 2018	Atlanta Open, United States	250 Series	Hard	Rajeev Ram	Nicholas Monroe John-Patrick Smith	6–3, 6–7(5–7), [8–10]
Loss	4–3	Jan 2021	Delray Beach Open, United States	250 Series	Hard	Christian Harrison	Ariel Behar Gonzalo Escobar	7–6(7–5), 6–7(4–7), [4–10]

Wins Against Top 10 Players

Ryan Harrison has beaten two players who were ranked in the top 10 during his career.

#	Player	Rank	Event	Surface	Rd	Score
2015
1.	Grigor Dimitrov	10	Acapulco, Mexico	Hard	2R	7–5, 4–6, 6–0
2016
2.	Milos Raonic	6	US Open, New York, United States	Hard	2R	6–7(4–7), 7–5, 7–5, 6–1

Images for kids

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  Ryan Harrison practicing at the French Open

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  Ryan Harrison interviewed at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships

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  Ryan Harrison congratulated after Wimbledon win