Despite Loss, Darian King Happy to Have Competed Well Against Alexander Zverev in Prime Time at US Open

(August 29, 2017)FLUSHING MEAOOWS, NY – In a match that did not end until a little past 2 a.m. on Tuesday morning, No. 4 seed Alexander Zverev of Germany won a tight 7-6 (9), 7-5, 6-4 match over world No. 168, qualifier Darian King from Barbados in Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match did not start until after 11 p.m. due to the length of Maria Sharapova’s upset win over No. 2 seed Simona Halep.

King is the first player from Barbados to compete in the singles main draw of a major tournament.

Despite the loss, King was very pleased to be out on the biggest court in tennis during the night session.

“Amazing(to play in Ashe Stadium),” said the 25-year-old King. “From the time finding out that I’m playing the prime time match against Sascha (Alexander Zverev), I was very stoked. This is what I dreamed about, this is what I’ve always played the sport for to compete against these kind of players. I was really happy that I competed very well out there.”

King could not capitalize on two set points in the first set, sut it’s all a learning experience.

“I think the first set, I had a couple of chances. Tennis is all about taking your chances. I don’t think I played too well on those chances but I can’t take it away from Sascha, he played some great tennis out there at the right times. But I still went out there to compete and the next two sets, unluckily, some unfortunate breaks in the second and the third. A couple of mental mistakes. It’s the first time me being in front of on the biggest court with so many people. I guess with experience I can improve, just have to continue pushing, handling those situations better. As I say, you can’t take it away from Sascha he played some great ball out there.

“I was very stoked to find out that I was playing on Ashe, the first Caribbean person to participate out there (night match on Ashe). This is what I dreamed about to go out play these big players on these big courts and to compete against these players. I’m really happy that I got the chance, especially at the US Open my favorite tournament.”

What’s next for King after the US Open? He’ll be part of Barbados’ Davis Cup team.

“We have Davis Cup coming up, the finals to get promoted into Group 1. It’s best of five, so I’m going to focus on that. Trying to put Barbados on the map again against Venezuela. Playing in September so, obviously it’s very important for me. And then after back to the grind, the Challengers, the ATPs and stuff. Just going out there, looking to play some good tennis again, against good players again. Just wanting to compete.”

King has been a pro since 2010. he began to play tennis at the age of eight. He is coached by his brother Christopher.

King was a member of Barbados’ Olympic team in Rio.

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