Kennedy Falls In U.S. Open Main Draw Debut But Embraces ‘Learning Experience’

Huntington’s Jack Kennedy achieved a childhood dream by competing in the main draw of the U.S. Open on Sunday afternoon. The 18-year-old Kennedy, who grew up just a short drive on the Long Island Expressway away from the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, took on South Africa’s Lloyd Harris in the opening round of the 2026 U.S. Open in front of many friends and family.

“I definitely caught some familiar faces when I looked around, but it’s tough in the moment to sort of focus on that, but it was great,” said Kennedy. “I saw a lot of people that I haven’t seen in years, and it’s really cool for them to be here for the match.”

And while the crowd was pro-Kennedy, the veteran Harris demonstrated his major tournament experience, notching a 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 victory on Court 12 to advance to the second-round. Harris advances to play the winner of 10th seeded Frenchman and recent Cincinnati Open champion Arthur Fils, and two-time major finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece. 

“It’s a tough one to not get it done, but it was a dream come true and something that I’ll always remember,” said Kennedy, who became the first Long Islander to compete in the U.S. Open main draw since Noah Rubin in 2014. “I was happy to be out there competing. It wasn’t the result we wanted, but the crowd was unbelievable, I tried to get them into it as much as I could, and they were everything I was hoping and expecting.”

Harris dictated a lot of play with his serve, firing 16 aces in all, and only had his serve broken one time in the one hour and 41 minute long. 

“He did a really good job of serving. He mixed it up and was really accurate overall; it was tough for me to get a good read and feel for it,” said Kennedy. “I think I could have done a better job of neutralizing points here and there, but credit to him and his gameplan heading into the match.”

Despite the defeat, Kennedy referred to the loss as a “good learning experience”, and is focusing on the positives he can take away from his U.S. Open main draw debut.

“There are a lot of things I look forward to working on,” he said. “I think I did a good job from the baseline, but maybe could have done a better job of extending the rallies more, and moving the ball around. But I think that will come as I get more experienced against guys who serve like that, and do a better job of taking care of own serve. It ultimately comes down to physicality, so it’s time to get back into the gym to get stronger, quicker and take it from there.”

Kennedy’s time at the 2026 U.S. Open is not done just yet as he will compete in the Junior events, singles and doubles, which begin next week. Kennedy is the defending champion in doubles, pairing with Keaton Hance to win the title a year ago. 

“That’s how I’ll end my junior career,” Kennedy said. He is headed to the University of Virginia in January.