There have been countless unforgettable moments in tennis history, and one of them was shaped by American tennis player Aaron Krickstein. He famously faced legend Jimmy Connors in what fans later dubbed an “instant classic.” But before that iconic match, Krickstein had already carved out a name for himself by defeating all-time greats like Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker.
Krickstein turned pro in 1983 and quickly made headlines on the ATP Tour. At just 16 years old, he became the youngest player ever to win a singles title, a record that earned him widespread recognition as a rising star. The expectations only grew when, at age 17, he broke into the top 10, becoming the youngest player in history to do so.
In the early years of his career, Krickstein captured several titles and was widely regarded as a future Grand Slam champion. However, injuries began to take a toll. Persistent issues with his feet, knees, and wrists, combined with a serious car accident in 1987, derailed what once seemed like a destined path to greatness.
Despite those setbacks, Krickstein continued to fight. In 1989, he reached the semifinals of the US Open, his best showing at a Grand Slam. A year later, he climbed to a career-high No. 6 in the world rankings. That season, he reached finals in both Tokyo and Sydney, and made quarterfinal appearances at the US Open, Grand Slam Cup, and Indian Wells.
Aaron Krickstein of the USA plays a forehand return against Mikael Tillstrom of Sweden in the first round of the Australian Open at Flinders Park in Melbourne, Australia.
Then came 1991, and with it, one of the most unforgettable matches in tennis history, his legendary five-set battle against Connors at the US Open, a clash that cemented Krickstein’s legacy in the sport.
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Krickstein earned the nickname ‘Marathon Man’
Aaron carved out a memorable career on the ATP Tour, but he’s perhaps best known for his epic showdown against Connors at the 1991 US Open. On Labor Day, the two clashed in a legendary match that lasted over four hours. Despite holding a 2-1 lead in sets and a 5-2 advantage in the final set, Krickstein ultimately fell to Connors in what remains one of the most-watched tennis matches in history.
Known for his resilience and ability to mount comebacks, winning 28 out of 37 matches in which he lost the first set, Krickstein earned the nickname “Marathon Man” for his endurance and never-say-die spirit.
Facing legends: Krickstein vs. Becker and Edberg
Competing at the highest level during the prime years of tennis greats like Boris Becker and Stefan Edberg was no easy task. Yet Krickstein managed to leave his mark against both legends, albeit with mixed results.
Against Edberg, Krickstein posted a 4-7 record. His most memorable win came at the 1995 Australian Open, where he rallied from a two-set deficit to defeat the Swede in five sets, showcasing exactly why he was known as the “Marathon Man.”
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His battles with Becker were more one-sided. The German star held a dominant 7-1 record over Krickstein. The American’s lone victory came at the 1992 Monte Carlo Masters, where he stunned Becker with a 6-1, 6-4 win on clay.
A career cut short by injuries
Krickstein retired from professional tennis in 1996 at the age of 29, after struggling with multiple injuries and a brief attempt to shift focus to doubles. He finished his career with a 395-256 singles record and captured nine ATP titles.
To this day, Krickstein holds the record as the youngest player to break into the ATP top 10 and the youngest to win an ATP title, milestones that speak to his early promise and enduring legacy as one of the sport’s toughest competitors.
