ATP Tour

How Damm went from Wimbledon daycare to following in his father's footsteps

Martin Damm's first memories of Wimbledon were not forged on Centre Court.

They began in daycare, where he spent his days while his father, former World No. 5 doubles player Martin Damm Sr., built a legacy that included two runs to the semi-finals at the grass-court major. Years later, the 6'8" American is creating Wimbledon memories of his own.

On Monday, Damm earned his first main-draw victory at the All England Club to move within touching distance of breaking into the Top 100 of the PIF ATP Rankings for the first time.

“He's helped me a lot and he's the reason why I'm able to play these tournaments, to play tennis,” Damm told ATP Tour.com when asked about his father, who won 40 tour-level doubles titles, including the US Open in 2006. “He does a good job at staying more of a father than getting too involved in my tennis. He comes to a few events out of the year, but I think it works best for us if we understand that he's a dad first and then a mentor if I need it.

“But, having him here with me and my mom, my siblings is obviously amazing. I grew up coming here, and I was in daycare here at Wimbledon when my dad was playing. It's great to have them all here with me and to experience this with me.”

This fortnight is the latest milestone in what has become the defining season of Damm's young career. After coming through qualifying to reach his first ATP Tour semi-final in Montpellier in February, the American has steadily climbed the rankings, pairing one of the biggest serves on Tour with growing confidence from the back of the court.

The progress, though, has come after one of the toughest stretches of his career.

Late in 2024, Damm ruptured his ankle and returned too soon, aggravating the injury and ultimately spending four months away from competition before finally returning in February 2025. Every victory since has carried added significance, which perhaps explained why, after edging Marco Trungelliti in four tie-break-filled sets on Monday, Damm remained seated in his chair for a few extra moments, soaking in what he had achieved.

“The Top 100 is definitely a big reason,” Damm said when asked about the emotions that came after the win. “It was a big injury, but it's in the past now. I don't really like to focus on it too much or think about it, but I do think that injury helped me grow as a person and as a player as well. It made me take a step back in life and view things differently.

“I think a lot of the reason why I've been having success after the injury is thanks to the injury, which doesn't sound great, but I'm happy for everything that happened and everything happened for a reason.”

The climb back demanded patience. When Damm returned, he had slipped outside the world's Top 450, forcing him to rebuild his ranking in ITF and ATP Challenger events before earning another opportunity on the ATP Tour. It was a humbling journey, but one that reshaped his outlook just as much as it rebuilt his game.

“When you're not able to play tennis for eight months and that's pretty much your job, you look at things differently and you spend time with your family and friends that we, as tennis players, don't get to do much,” Damm said. “That definitely changed my perspective, for sure.”

That renewed perspective has translated into results. Damm has combined his trademark power with greater composure in the biggest moments, a quality that will be tested again when he faces another towering server, Arthur Rinderknech, in the second round at Wimbledon. The pair possess two of the biggest deliveries in the draw, setting up what promises to be a battle decided by fine margins.

Watch Damm reach his first ATP Tour semi-final in Montpellier in February:

“I’m maturing internally and mentally as well, working day in, day out, even if things aren't going well,” Damm said. “I’m believing in myself and my abilities, hiring people around me that believe in me. I fully believe that they're there to help me and trust in me.

“I think it's a combination of things, but I think it all starts internally and being more mature on and off the court.”

Regardless of what comes next this fortnight, Damm has already reached a place that once felt a long way off during those months spent recovering from injury. He is knocking on the door of the Top 100, establishing himself at tour level and writing his own Wimbledon story.

It is a different chapter from the one his father authored across more than a decade of doubles success at the All England Club. But with his family once again by his side in southwest London, Damm is discovering that the place where his Wimbledon journey first began — as a child in daycare — may also be where his own career truly announces itself.