Tracy Austin and her long way becoming the youngest ever champion in New York.

Tracy Austin’s victory in 1979, at the age of just 16 years and nine months, is certainly one of them.

In becoming the youngest ever US Open champion – a record that still stands today – Tracy Austin had to do it the hard way. It wasn’t until she turned 16 that she was able to turn professional and compete in events where she could earn prize money.

After winning the first set of her quarter-final against Tracy Reid, the 16-year-old lost the second 6-1. And it looked like she was going to be heading for an early exit when Reid went a break up in the deciding set. But Austin showed tremendous resilience and character to fight back and eventually prevail 7-5, 6-1.

In the semi-finals, Austin faced another tough test in the form of three-time US Open champion Chris Evert. While still relatively unknown on the global stage, Austin made headlines at the 1979 US Open when she defeated defending champion Martina Navratilova in the semifinals. She went on to beat Chris Evert in the final to become the youngest ever US Open singles champion.

Austin’s success at such a young age was short-lived however, as injuries soon began to take their toll. She was forced to miss most of the 1981 season due to a stress fracture in her back and then missed large chunks of the next few years with various other injuries.

Despite all of this, Austin made a remarkable comeback at the 1985 US Open, reaching the semifinals before losing to eventual champion Hana Mandlikova. This would prove to be her last major tournament success however, as she was forced to retire from professional tennis in 1987 due to persistent injuries.

While her career was ultimately cut short by injuries, Tracy Austin will always be remembered as one of the best players of her generation and as a trailblazer for American tennis. Evert had won their two previous meetings and was the overwhelming favourite to win again. But Austin was undeterred and produced a masterclass to beat the American in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3.

In the final, Austin faced off against another US Open legend, Martina Navratilova. The pair had met just once before, with Navratilova winning comfortably in 1978. But Austin was a different proposition this time around and she proved her doubters wrong by winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-3, to become the youngest US Open champion in history.

While Austin enjoyed a successful career on the singles court, she was also part of a winning US team at the Federation Cup in 1981. She also won the mixed doubles title at Wimbledon that same year, partnering with John McEnroe.

She made a brief comeback in 1992, but was unable to recapture her former glory and retired for good in 1995. Nevertheless, her achievements saw her inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2012.

More than four decades on from her stunning victory, Tracy Austin’s name still sits proudly in the record books. And she remains an inspiration to young players around the world.