Black US tennis player accuses white player of racism

A black US tennis player has accused his white American opponent of making a racist remark to him during a heated exchange on the court Monday.  

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is reviewing an allegation by tennis player Donald Young that Ryan Harrison used racially inappropriate language during a heated exchange at the New York Open on Monday night.

World No 43 Harrison beat World No 65 Young 6-3, 7-6 in his first round match during the tournament in Uniondale, New York.

During a changeover, the two players could be seen having a terse exchange, enough for an umpire to descend to diffuse the situation, but it’s unclear what was said.

After the match against Harrison, Young took to social media to Twitter to call out Harrison.

The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) is reviewing an allegation by tennis player Donald Young (left) that fellow American Ryan Harrison (right) used racially inappropriate language during a heated exchange at the New York Open on Monday night

During a changeover, the two players could be seen having a terse exchange, enough for an umpire to descend to diffuse the situation, but it’s unclear what was said

‘I’m shocked and disappointed, Ryan Harrison, to hear you tell me how you really feel about me as a black tennis player in the middle of our NY match,’ Young wrote early on Tuesday.

‘I thought this was supposed to be an inclusive gentleman’s sport.’

Harrison also took to social media shortly after Young’s post, denying that he made any such comments. 

‘The accusations made by Donald Young tonight following our match are absolutely untrue. I’m extremely disappointed that someone would say this in reaction to a lost tennis match. 

‘Any video/audio will 100% clear me and I encourage anyone with the available resources to find it.’ 

TennisNow identified a woman named Valentina Lee as Young’s girlfriend and said that she was at the match.

Lee tweeted on Tuesday: ‘Ryan Harrison told [Young]” “That’s what all you black people do” after he was upset that [Young] cheered ‘C’mon’ to pump himself up.’ 

After the match against Harrison, Young took to social media to Twitter to call out Harrison saying that he was ‘shocked and disappointed…to hear you tell me how you really feel about me as a black tennis player’

Harrison also took to social media shortly after Young’s post, denying that he made any such comments and that audio/video would clear him

Young has not confirmed if this is what Harrison said to him. 

After the match, Young reportedly refused a handshake by Harrison, and the two again exchanged words.    

In comments made to reporters after the match, Harrison chalked up the disagreement to the heat of the battle. 

According to a woman, identified as Young’s (pictured) girlfriend, : ‘Ryan Harrison told [Young]” “That’s what all you black people do” after he was upset that [Young} cheered ‘C’mon’ to pump himself up’

‘At the end of the day, you see everybody, you like everybody and you want to be friends or friendly with everybody but everybody out here that I compete against – even the ones that I like – they’re the ones trying to take away my livelihood,’ he said. 

‘So I’ve got to do what I can to come through and I’m just proud of myself for doing that.’

In a statement, a spokesperson for the ATP said: ‘The ATP takes any allegations of racial prejudice extremely seriously. A further review of all video and audio recording from the match will take place as this matter is investigated further.’