Zach Svajda Honors His Father with Emotional Win
at Newport’s Hall of Fame Open

Pacific Beach native Zach Svajda, 22, reached a major milestone in his ascending career by capturing the men’s title at the ATP Challenger 125 Hall of Fame Open in Newport, Rhode Island. Played on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame, the site of the first U.S. National Lawn Tennis Championship in 1881, the tournament holds a unique place in tennis history and remains the only professional grass-court event outside of Europe.

The Newport title marks the biggest win of Zach’s career to date and his fifth ATP Challenger crown. It’s his first since 2023 and a particularly meaningful one, earned nearly a year to the day after his father’s stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis. It is about more than titles. Every serve, rally, and match carries the weight of that fight.

A Growing Collection of ATP Challenger Titles

Zach’s journey through the Challenger circuit has been a testament to his unwavering determination and steady progression. He broke through in 2022 with his maiden Challenger title at the Tiburon Challenger 80, then added three more in 2023—Cary, Tiburon, and Fairfield—all at the Challenger 75 level. His ability to deliver under pressure and adapt across surfaces has steadily elevated his game.

With this breakthrough on grass, Zach not only adds another surface to his resume but also moves more than 75 spots in the ATP rankings, returning to the Top 200 as of July 14, 2025.

On-Court Dominance in Newport

At the Tennis Hall of Fame event, Zach’s game was firing on all cylinders as he opened the week with a strong 6-2, 6-3 win over Quinn Vandecasteele, a familiar face on the SoCal Pro Series circuit this summer. In the round of 16, he overcame the top seed and close friend Brandon Holt of Rolling Hills Estates in a hard-fought three-set battle, 4-6, 6-0, 6-1. 

In the quarterfinals, Zach continued his impressive run by defeating Yosuke Watanuki, 7-5, 6-4, a player who earlier this year stunned Frances Tiafoe in straight sets at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The semifinal tested his endurance and resolve, as he outlasted Eliot Spizzirri 6-3, 6-4 to punch his ticket to the final.

In the championship match, Zach faced off against No. 4 seed Adrian Mannarino, a seasoned grass-court competitor. Using sharp baseline precision, timely net attacks, and a reliable serve, Svajda dictated the pace en route to a 7-5, 6-3 title-clinching victory.

“Winning this title was definitely a special moment,” Zach said. “This tournament a year ago is when I found out about my dad’s sickness and I remember really struggling and I did not win many matches for almost the whole 12 months. Coming back here a year later and winning this title is really special to me.”

He added, “When I found out about my dad’s cancer diagnosis, I did not know what I should do. If I should skip all of these tournaments maybe even for the rest of the year and just be with my dad. But I knew he wanted the best for me and that he wanted me to play. It has been tough trying to stay focused at times.”

“My dad has always been a fighter and he wants the best for me and I want to keep playing for him and the same goes for my brother. I just try to think like you know he’s watching and I just want to play for him every point and do the best I can for him.”

Facing Holt early in the tournament added to the emotional complexity of the week. “It’s always tough playing a close friend,” Zach admitted. “But I tried to treat it like a practice match and not put too much pressure on myself.”

Zach adapted quickly to the nuances of grass, using smart shot selection and relentless pressure to wear down a strong field of opponents. Though Newport is a world away from his Southern California roots, Zach’s competitive spirit and versatility made it clear he carried that SoCal heat all the way across the country.

A Dedication Close to the Heart

Beyond the title and trophies, this win carried deep personal significance. Zach dedicated the victory to his father, Tom Svajda, who is courageously battling stage 4 colon cancer. Tom is more than just a proud parent, he has been Zach’s coach, mentor, and driving force throughout his career. 

But his impact extends far beyond his own family. For over 20 years, Tom has been a beloved local tennis instructor at the Pacific Beach Tennis Club, where his smiling face and expert coaching have been a fixture on court for what feels like forever. He’s taught hundreds of players, kids as young as three, as well as teens, adults, and seniors, instilling a love for the game in every generation.

Zach’s love for tennis began at age two, when Tom would pick him up from daycare and hear the same daily request: “Daddy, tennis.” For the Svajda family, tennis wasn’t just training, it was a way to be together. His younger brother Trevor, who grew up hitting alongside Zach, was inspired by that same passion.

Zach and Tom took an unconventional path for their approach to junior tennis. From age 11 to 15, Zach did not play a single tournament. He only practiced, working hard with the belief that his effort would pay off even without match experience. While others said it would not work, they stayed the course.

In 2019, Zach won the USTA Boys’ 18s National Championship in Kalamazoo, defeating Redlands’ Govind Nanda and earning a wildcard into the US Open. At just 16, he became the youngest man in the draw since Donald Young in 2005. A year later, he defended the Kalamazoo title and scored his first Grand Slam main draw win at the US Open over world No. 81 Marco Cecchinato, before taking a set off 13th seed Jannik Sinner in the second round.

Last summer, Zach hit a rough patch and struggled with results, arguably so. But as a lucky loser in the 2024 Winston-Salem Open, he notched big wins over Laslo Djere and third seed Francisco Cerundolo, avenging a first-round loss to Cerundolo at the 2023 US Open. That run propelled him to a career-high No. 102 on August 26, 2024.

“My dad is always in the back of my mind when I’m on court and I know he’s watching no matter where I am and what the time zone is. He is always awake watching my matches and I just want to do the best I can for him,” Zach said.

“Capturing this title, especially at the Hall of Fame, was one of the best feelings I’ve had so far being on tour,” he added. “My family always supports me in my decisions no matter what I do and at the end of the day they just want me to be happy.”

“This title is for you, Dad. Watching you fight has shown me what true strength really is,” Zach shared on Instagram after the match.

The bond between Zach and his father has been on display beyond the court as well. In December 2024, an emotional exhibition fundraiser was held in San Diego featuring tennis legends including James Blake and Brandon Nakashima to support Tom Svajda’s cancer battle. The event drew hundreds of supporters and raised awareness across the tennis community, illustrating the far-reaching impact Tom has had as both a coach and a mentor.

A Family Full of Winners

This summer has been one of bittersweet triumphs for the Svajda family. Trevor, 19, has also been making waves by capturing two titles on the SoCal Pro Series this season. Notably, Trevor’s first-ever pro title was won with their dad cheering from the stands on Father’s Day, a special moment that underscored the close-knit family’s resilience and passion for the sport.

“It’s an awesome feeling seeing my brother succeed in winning tournaments too,” Zach said. “We grew up practicing together every day when we were little kids and now that we’re getting older, we don’t see each other as much but it’s pretty cool seeing him at these tournaments together.”

The Svajda Family Legacy

The Svajda family’s story resonates with many in tennis circles, highlighting the power of family support, perseverance, and love for the game. Tom’s influence is felt not just on the court but off it, as he’s been actively involved in mentoring young players and has even been recognized by some of the game’s biggest names at fundraisers to support his fight against cancer.

What’s Next for Zach?

With five ATP Challenger titles now under his belt, Zach is clearly on an upward trajectory. His blend of speed, aggression, and mental toughness is tailor-made for the pro tour, and he’s steadily building the consistency needed to break into higher-tier ATP events.

“My goal at the end of the year is to get back to the top 100 where I was last year,” he said. “I’ll keep focusing on my serve, coming into the net more and keep taking care of my mental side which for me is the most important part.”

Fueled by his father’s fight and lifted by his Southern California roots, Zach Svajda is rising one match, one moment, one dream at a time. Newport wasn’t just a title. It was a tribute, a turning point, and a spark.

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It truly takes a village. Please join USTA Southern California in supporting a beloved member of our tennis community during this challenging time. Every donation makes a difference, and sharing Tom’s GoFundMe with others is deeply appreciated.