Friday five: Tennis’ teenage phenoms

Tennis is awash with teenage sensations. But when you look back through the history books, there are a few players who have taken the concept of teen sensation to the next level. These are five players who made the biggest breakthroughs in the history of tennis.

Michael Chang

Baseline scrambler Michael Chang’s most famous moment came at the 1989 French Open when, at the age of 17 years and 4 months, he became the youngest male winner of a Grand Slam.

Jennifer Capriarti

So many records. Jennifer Capriarti went pro at the tender age of 13 years and 11 months, reaching the finals of her first hard court tournament (Boca Raton). She cracked the top 10 at 14 years, 235 days and claimed Olympic Gold at the age of 16.

Boris Becker

Unseeded but outrageously talented, Boris Becker stunned Wimbledon – and the world – when he won the title at the age of just 17 in 1985. Becker crushed Kevin Curren in the final, playing his trademark brash, aggressive tennis.

Martina Hingis

Martina Hingis is still picking up Grand Slam doubles titles, but it was the start of her career that she will always be remembered for. Hingis became the youngest Grand Slam champion of all time in 1996, winning the doubles with Helena Sukova at Wimbledon. A year later she became the youngest Grand Slam singles champion of the 20th century, winning the Australian Open at 16 years 3 months.

Tracy Austin

A true teenage phenom, Tracy Austin turned pro at the age of 15 in 1978. A year later, at the age of 16 years 9 months, she set the record for being the youngest ever female winner of the US Open. Austin would go on to win the title again in 1981.