At 17, American tennis prodigy Eaden-Zack Harron is enjoying an inspiring journey that is already crossing continents. While Africa has been his most successful terrain in his tennis career so far, with ITF juniors titles across the continent including Kigali, Eaden-Zack is making his dream clear: winning a grand slam one day. In an interview with Times Sport, he reflects on his journey so far, and his career ambitions for the future. Fans often call you “EZ,” and there’s a phrase ‘When Tennis is EZ and EZ is Tennis’ that you keep associating yourself with. What does that mean to you? EZ started as a reference to my initials, but over time it became something much deeper. Tennis and I feel like one, almost inseparable. When I say Tennis is EZ and EZ is Tennis, it’s not about the sport being easy, because trust me, it’s definitely not! It’s about unity. When I’m on the court, my mind, my body, and my purpose align. Tennis doesn’t feel separate from who I am; it feels like an extension of me. In those moments, the game flows naturally, and it feels like tennis and I are made of the same thing. ALSO READ: Sixth ITF title, new career high... Kigali’s becoming Harron’s favourite ground You started playing tennis at just three and a half years old. What do you remember from those early days? My earliest memory is stepping onto a tennis court with my dad in Miami Beach and flying the next day with my family to Curaçao and again going straight to the resort’s tennis court. I was so small the racket almost felt bigger than me. I remember the joy of being on a tennis court without differentiating whether I was home or somewhere else. It felt like play, and that’s something I still try to protect today. Was tennis always your only sport, or did you explore others growing up? I was actually a multi-sport athlete until I was about 12 years old. I competed seriously in swimming and regularly played baseball, while also training and competing in smaller tennis tournaments. Swimming gave me endurance and discipline, baseball helped with coordination and explosiveness. At 12, I had to make a very conscious decision to choose one sport and fully commit. Although I was a good swimmer and liked to chase after home runs during baseball games, tennis was the one that spoke to me the most, and once I chose it, I never looked back. That said, I still enjoy lapping on a pool or stepping on a baseball field. Who is your favorite tennis player, and why? Definitely Rafael Nadal. We’re both left-handed, very intense, and committed to maximizing every tool we have. What I admire most is his fighting spirit. No matter the score or the situation, he competes with heart. That mindset inspires me every day. Do you have a guiding quote or principle that shapes the way you play? One idea I am working to really live by is “Position first, Strike last.” Tennis isn’t just about hitting harder. It’s about being in the right place at the right time. When your positioning is right, everything becomes simpler, on the court and in life. You’ve already experienced a lot in competition. What is the most unreal or craziest tennis moment you’ve ever lived? It happened during a 12-and-under championship match in Florida. I won the first set, lost the second after a long battle, and it all came down to a 10-point match tiebreak. I was playing a strong player from Canada and suddenly found myself down 9–1. To make matters worse, my racket strings popped, and I only had one racket with me. Panic started to settle in, I thought it was over. Then a mother and her son in the crowd jumped up and said the son was playing with the exact same racket model. He threw it onto the court so I could keep playing. I won a couple of points, but quickly realized the string tension was completely different from what I was used to. Thankfully, a friend of my dad’s ran to his car and came back with a racket that felt much closer in strength and balance to mine. All that chaos turned the match into something special, the crowd went from maybe six or seven people to well over 75 spectators, gathering around as the tiebreak became a real show. Point by point, I somehow came all the way back to win 11–9. It’s still the most incredible, and dramatic comeback I’ve ever experienced. You’ve competed on different continents, but Africa seems especially meaningful to you. What keeps bringing you back? Africa has been incredibly special for me. Rwanda, in particular, really touched my heart. The Rwandan Tennis Federation was always extremely welcoming, and the fans supported me warmly even though I was coming from the United States. The energy, respect, and passion were amazing. I truly believe Africa has a very bright future in tennis, and I look forward to coming back for more tournaments. Is there a tournament you dream of winning one day, or a place that stands out most? Winning the US Open is definitely a dream. But it’s hard to choose just one tournament. Every place you play has its own identity, the courts, the people, the atmosphere. Each tournament adds something special to the long road of becoming a tennis player. One thing is for sure, I want to experience and win them all. At the core of everything, what matters most to you as a person and as an athlete? Family, without question. My father is also my coach, which creates a very special bond. We learn about each other from two perspectives, father and son, but also athlete and coach. My mother is the pillar of our family and my biggest fan. And my two brothers are also my two best friends , they are always part of my journey. Even though I travel a lot, I stay in close contact with them. That support gives me strength wherever I am. They also make me laugh like crazy! One last word for this interview? TIMTIP. What does TIMTIP mean? TIMTIP is a secret. It’s made up of two words my dad shared with me when I was just six years old, and they’ve been reminded to me on multiple occasions ever since. One day, when the time feels right, I’ll be compelled to divulge what TIMTIP truly stands for so that the world can finally know its meaning.
