Coronado native Ryan Seggerman ready for US Open stage after ‘rolling with the punches’

Ryan Seggerman will take the court this weekend at the U.S. Open, marking his fifth straight Grand Slam appearance.

The Coronado native and Coronado High School graduate is the first to admit it’s been a grind. And while the 26-year-old doubles standout is proud of what he’s accomplished to this point, he’s still nowhere near satisfied.

“Little by little,” Seggerman said, “I keep chipping away at career milestones and trusting that it’s putting me in the right direction to keep achieving bigger and better things.”

Seggerman was a multi-sport athlete growing up, excelling in baseball and soccer. Tennis is in his blood: Ryan’s parents, Scott and Pamela Seggerman, met one another on a tennis court.

When high school began, Seggerman turned his full attention to tennis. During his freshman season, he helped lead Coronado to its first CIF San Diego Section boys tennis title. By the time his senior year rolled around, Seggerman was No. 3 in USTA’s under-18 singles rankings. He finished his Islanders career by claiming the CIF boys singles title, Coronado’s first since 1979.

Seggerman played at Princeton (2017-22) and the University of North Carolina (2023) before turning pro. In just his fourth professional tournament, he and longtime doubles partner Patrik Trhac won the ITF M15 at Lakewood. From 2023 to 2024, the duo ripped off 28 consecutive victories — and 13 straight wins in ITF circuit and ATP Challenger Tour finals.

“Starting out and winning 28 matches in a row, that start helped me to believe that I am going in the right direction,” Seggerman said.  “Everyone has confidence, but I think everyone needs a proof of concept. If some of those don’t go our way, I don’t know how different a position I would be in right now.”

The biggest moment of his young career came early in 2024 at the PNB Paribas Open at Indian Wells. Seggerman and Trhac earned a wild-card entry, then beat sixth-seeded Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni in the first round.

“The moment at Indian Wells was special,” Seggerman said. “I don’t know what will trump it, but that is my answer for what has been the happiest moment of my life.”

The win, along with his continued exceptional play, opened more doors for Seggerman. He played at ATP 250 events in Hertogenbosch, Netherlands, and Newport, R.I. Later that fall, he made his first U.S. Open appearance.

Despite the accolades, Seggerman continues to grind. He bounces to multiple locations each month. One week might be Savannah, Ga., with the next Mauthausen, Austria — or even Skopje, North Macedonia.

It’s long flights, weeks in hotel rooms, months away from family, and playing match after match in pursuit of becoming a mainstay on tour.

“You get to play Indian Wells and in these Grand Slams, and you feel like a big shot. But when you’re bouncing to Tunisia or Romania, there are times when you feel like you’re just going through the motions. You can have times when you don’t get excited to play,” he said. “But still, I always take time to step back and appreciate that this is my job. I have slept on airport floors, I’ve had delayed flights, I’ve had my bags not arrive on time. But my spirits always stay up. It’s just a thing in this profession, you have to be able to roll with the punches.”

His approach appears to be working. Seggerman’s U.S. Open appearance marks his fourth Grand Slam of the year. He claimed opening-round victories at both the French Open and Wimbledon.  He’s also made eight ATP tour tournament appearances.

Seggerman has a different mindset as he and doubles partner Matthew Christopher Romios prepare to take on Tomas Machac and Matej Vocel in the first round.

He’s no longer wide-eyed or starstruck by the players walking the grounds. He knows he can play — and beat — anyone in the draw.

“I’m here on my own merit,” he said. “I’ve had a good year, I’ve had a lot of success, and there is more optimism and belief right now that I can go out and do something special.”