2 January 2018 | Tennis Queensland

American’s Jared Donaldson, who last night beat Aussie Jordan Thompson in the first round of the Brisbane International, has today met squad of intellectually disabled players as part of their tour of the event.

The 21 year old, who is ranked 54, spoke about how he first got into tennis.

“I played almost every sport when I was a kid until I was ten years old,” said Donaldson.

“The only other sport I played was baseball but I didn’t like to practice baseball all that much, so tennis was what I practiced and was good at.”

During a time of open questions, the enigmatic American was asked why he chose a career in the sport.

“I was really good, and I always wanted to be a professional athlete or tennis player, I always wanted to play and beat the great players. I had the ability and I felt I had the talent so I felt it’s not every day you get to go out and chase your dreams so I gave it a shot,” he said.

Player Alex Baker, who was part of the tour, said being at the Brisbane International was a dream come true, let alone getting a behind-the-scenes tour, meeting a player, and getting on court.

“It’s a dream as a tennis player you want to meet pros and he’s just an outstanding player, and any time you get a meet a professional it’s awesome but one as nice as him it was a joy,” said Baker.

“It just seems to be getting better and better every year. It was a dream to play on a court like this, one where the pros play and it’s a magical feeling.”