Missouri Valley / Oklahoma

Oklahoma Junior Players Selected for 2024 Amex Cup and Haber Career Week in NYC

Casey McKenzie | September 18, 2024

The USTA Foundation selected two standout junior players from USTA Oklahoma, JohnPaul Huston and Taytum Jones, to attend the prestigious 2024 Amex Cup and Haber Career Week in New York City on Aug. 31 through Sept. 6. Nominated by their coach Caitlyn Sagraves of the Play It Forward Foundation and Edmond Center Court, these two young athletes joined 22 others from across the country for a week-long event focused on tennis, career exploration, and leadership development.

Congratulations to JohnPaul and Taytum for this remarkable achievement!

Q & A with JohnPaul Huston and Taytum Jones

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Did you get to go to the US Open?

JohnPaul: I did get to attend two matches at the US Open. The first was the 4th round men's match between Andrey Rublev and Grigor Dimitrov.

Our team was able to view this match from a suite at the Arthur Ashe stadium due to the generosity of Mr. Sri Ambati, the founder of H20.ai, who we had the opportunity to hear speak at his headquarters earlier in the week as a part of the Haber Cup Career Week. Chris Eubanks came to our suite to visit. We also met the Bryan Brothers. That day we also got to go into the hall from where the players go out onto the courts. I was both shocked and excited when Daniil Medvedev passed right by us. Viewing the match from the suite box was obviously an other-worldly experience stacked on top of the already unbelievable fact that I was even at the US Open. The second match we watched the women's semi-final between Aryna Sabalenka and our American Emma Navarro. I could not believe how much faster the game was and how much harder the players hit in person.

Taytum: Yes! It was amazing. The facility… Arthur Ashe Stadium was a mind blow. I could not even comprehend what was happening! Me?! At the U.S. Open! Serena Williams was in the suite next to us! And the suites! They were so cool!!! I saw Medvedev! He has to be 7ft tall! And I met Christopher Eubanks. This man shook my hand and I almost passed out. He was so chill. Down to earth. We took pictures and everything.

JohnPaul and Taytum with Others at the US Open
JohnPaul and Taytum selfie at US Open with others
Jumbotron showing USTA Foundation Excellence Team

What did you think about the Amex cup?

J: Playing in the American Express Cup was a unique experience for many reasons. I competed against very high level players and play styles I had not seen before. Our first 3 days of play were at the John McEnroe Tennis Academy-cool. The last day of play we were able to finish our final two matches on the US Open Courts. Making new friends with my peers in the tennis community and being introduced to their coaches was special to me. The USTA Foundation provided our match play clothing and items to wear to the US Open, as well as a very nice duffle bag, backpack and water bottles.

T: It was fun. We wished that it was more realistic match play rather than timed matches. I think that messed up the flow for a lot of us. But it was a fantastic experience. And the skill level was great!

JohnPaul playing in Amex Cup
Taytum playing in Amex Cup
JohnPaul playing in Amex Cup

What did you think about the Career week?

J: The Haber Career Week was fascinating. I enjoyed the treat of sailing around the harbor to see the iconic sites of the Manhattan skyline and the Statue of Liberty and dinner that evening on the boat. We visited and toured Goldman Sachs, Meta and H2O.ai headquarters, as well as Wall Street, where we were present at the ringing of the opening bell. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to explore so many different careers, nor hear from the leaders of the businesses we toured. Another part of Haber Career Week I loved was our time at Henry Street Settlement, whose mission is to provide and open doors of opportunity for Lower East Side Manhattan residents through social services, the arts, education and health care. My teammates and I worked together to pull weeds, put grass seeds down and lay mulch in the community garden. I learned so much and now have more ideas to explore for my future and innovative ways to help and reach out to others.

T: Career week was cool. It was inspiring to see face to face what hard work and dedication can build. It was definitely motivational.

Favorite thing about the event?

J: I honestly do not know if I could pick a favorite part of this experience. It was one of my dreams to one day go to the US Open, but I could not have known it coming true would be wrapped up in so much extra. Getting to attend with one of my best friends, Taytum Jones, and Coach Caitlyn (THANK YOU!), who guided us through Times Square where we stayed and made sure we had the best experience possible, made this time extra sweet. I want to thank the USTA Foundation for the opportunity of a lifetime and the Play It Forward Foundation and Coach Caitlyn for nominating me for this honor.

T: Meeting Christopher Eubanks for sure! He gave us all a lesson of how he went pro and how everything is achievable. l told him my name and to remember me. We shook hands and he said “ok Taytum, we’re gonna play one day.” I will never forget that moment for the rest of my life. The ENTIRE TRIP was a once in a lifetime experience. I know that… and I am incredibly grateful. The plane ride. Landing in NYC. The realization that I was in the Big Apple. The skyscrapers, the lights, the architecture, the beautiful parks. The U.S. Open, Arthur Ash Stadium, riding on the yacht, seeing the Statue of Liberty in person… the stock exchange, meeting Mark Zuckerberg, and actually playing on U.S. Open courts…. I’m a happy kid. A really happy kid!!!

Taytum and JohnPaul NYC
Taytum and JohnPaul touring NYC

What is your next USTA tournament?

J: My next tournaments are the L3 Open Dominant Duo in Edmond, Okla. and the L2 in Austin, Texas.

T: The L2 in Austin, Texas Oct. 12-14.

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