Long Island Favorite Clears First Qualifying Round at New York Open

By Brent Shearer

(February 9, 2020) UNIONDALE, NEW YORK – Noah Rubin, the home town rooting interest in this week’s New York Open, knows how to balance his two main gigs: tennis pro and pod cast maven.

The Merrick, L.I., native took care of business in his day job of winning tennis matches by beating fellow American Mackenzie McDonald, 6-4, 7-5, in the first round of the qualifying tournament at NYCB Live’s Nassau Coliseum on Sunday.

Rubin’s podcast Behind the Racquet, which he produces with tennis broadcaster Mike Cation, has been gaining traction inside and outside the tennis world with its focus on mental health issues faced by tour players.

Still, Rubin is clear about his priority.

“I’m a professional athlete eight hours day, that’s my main focus” he said.

He had his work cut out for him against McDonald, who played an attacking game and gave the #268 ranked Rubin all he could handle as the players traded service breaks.

He managed to prevail against Mackenzie as his steady playing style was able to absorb the heavy hitting of his opponent.

Rubin said he was willing to nominate himself as one of the top 5 or ten fastest movers on the ATP tour. “I feel like my quickness around the court is something I can rely on, even when other parts of my game are off.”

Rubin also said the New York Open was more of his home tournament than even the U.S. Open just down the road, but across the Queens-Nassau line. “This is where I come to see the Islanders.”

He ended the 2019 season with an elbow injury, which he said has only cleared up recently.

The hometown favorite will face Italy’s Paolo Lorenzi on Monday at noon with the winner earning a spot in the main draw.