Piedmont’s Mackenzie McDonald reaches fourth round in Wimbledon debut
LONDON — Mackenzie McDonald earned post-match kudos from John McEnroe and something else pretty significant Friday: a spot in Wimbledon’s round of 16 in his tournament debut.
The 103rd-ranked Piedmont native, who was playing at UCLA two years ago, played in a Grand Slam tournament’s third round for the first time and won, beating Guido Pella 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (6).
“I’m in disbelief, to be honest. Just pretty crazy,” said McDonald, 23, who now is based at the U.S. Tennis Association’s main training facility in Florida. “I mean, if you told me I’d be in the second week of Wimbledon before the tournament, I wouldn’t believe you.