UPA Tour Pro Donald Young is about to write the final chapter in his tennis career before officially hanging up his racquet.

The 35-year-old American will play mixed doubles at the 2024 US Open alongside countrywoman and friend, Taylor Townsend, beginning on Friday.

The pair will face Asia Muhammad (USA) and Andrés Molteni (ARG) in the first round.

Townsend, 28, is eager to compete with Young in New York City given their close personal relationship.

"It’s really special for me because he’s retiring. When he asked me to play, it was an honor because I grew up with Donald," said Townsend, during a post-match interview earlier this week. "I’ve known him since his mom and my mom played doubles together. He was the ring bearer at my mom and dad’s wedding. From the time that I could even remember anything, Donald was around."

The 2024 Wimbledon women's doubles champion holds Young in especially high esteem for helping to inspire her own tennis journey.

“His dad and mom [were] my first coaches since I picked up a racquet, so I have so many special memories, and more than anything, it’s really special because he was the closest thing that I had to feeling as though that leading this life was possible," added Townsend. "Him winning junior Wimbledon, junior Australian Open, then going on to the tour, breaking out on tour, and coming home and being able to bring that accomplishment to us to begin, it was the closest that I ever had being near anyone that was doing this at this level. When he asked me to play, I just felt like it’s an honor to close that book for him because they kind of like opened that for me. I felt that it was kind of like a full circle moment."

Young debuted on the PPA Tour in January and also represents MLP's Florida Smash at the Challenger Level.

He is among several notable names from the tennis world to transition to pickleball this year, including Jack Sock, Genie Bouchard, and Sam Querrey.

The Atlanta native will return to the PPA Tour at the CIBC Atlanta Slam next month.