Danes Sweeney has claimed his maiden grand slam win outside Australia, advancing to the US Open second round after Corentin Moutet retired with a forearm injury while trailing 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 3-0 on Tuesday.
The result gave the 25-year-old Australian wildcard a breakthrough moment on one of tennis’s biggest stages, along with a $US190,000 payday, or about $A266,000. It also moved him into the second round at the US Open for the first time.
Sweeney’s win came in a match that had already gone his way on the scoreboard before Moutet was forced to stop. He now faces fifth seed Lorenzo Musetti, a major step up in difficulty but also a chance to build on a first-round result that has already changed the feel of his tournament.
For Sweeney, the significance goes beyond prize money. He and Tristan Schoolkate have grown up together since they were 10, sharing practice courts, ping-pong tables and apartments in tennis backwaters around the world. On the same day Sweeney advanced, Schoolkate also joined him in the second round after beating Nishesh Basavareddy 7-6 (7-4) 3-6 6-3 6-4 in a little over three hours.
Sweeney said he was happy to see both Australians move through, especially Schoolkate, whom he has known for so long. The pair were both set to take on major tests next, with Schoolkate meeting Fabio Cobolli after his qualifying run.
Sweeney also reflected on his physical issues, saying the lump he carries is usually standard but that he has not been icing it. He said he lands on the same spot every time when he dives, which keeps causing it to pop up, and added that he has what he described as permanent fluid build-up there.
Still, the moment clearly means a lot to him. Sweeney said he is really excited to play Musetti and called it a great match-up against one of the world’s best players. For an Australian battler who has spent years grinding for chances, this week in New York has already delivered the kind of breakthrough that can reshape a tournament.
