Austen Denis Childs (born 23 February 1989) is a New Zealand former tennis player.[1]

Austen Childs
Full nameAusten Denis Childs
Country (sports) New Zealand
Born (1989-02-23) 23 February 1989 (age 35)
Mount Maunganui,
New Zealand
Height5 ft 11 in (180 cm)
PlaysRight-handed
Singles
Career record1–0 (Davis Cup)
Highest rankingNo. 1504 (20 Mar 2006)

Childs grew up in Mount Maunganui and was ranked amongst the world's top 50 players on the ITF Junior circuit, with a quarter-final appearance at the Australian Open a highlight.[2]

Instead of professional tennis, Childs opted to attend college at the University of Louisville in Kentucky and play collegiate tennis. As a junior in 2010 and unseeded, he became the first New Zealander to make an NCAA Division I Championship final. He was beaten in the final by Bradley Klahn of Stanford.[3]

Two-weeks after making the NCAA final he was called into the New Zealand Davis Cup team, captained by his childhood coach Marcel Vos, for a tie against Pakistan in Taranaki.[4] Considered a surprise selection, Childs was used for the deciding fifth rubber, picked ahead of Michael Venus who had earlier played a lengthy match in losing to Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi. Childs was able to defeat Aqeel Khan in straight sets to secure the tie for New Zealand.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Tennis: Two newcomers named in NZ Davis Cup team". Otago Daily Times. 16 June 2010.
  2. ^ "Coach ecstatic as Austen rolls on". NZ Herald. 25 January 2006.
  3. ^ "Tennis: Childs beaten in NCAA final". Otago Daily Times. 1 June 2010.
  4. ^ "Excited Childs set for cup debut". NZ Herald.
  5. ^ Hills, Murray (24 July 2010). "Childs makes most of chance to impress". Stuff.co.nz.
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