Exactly one week ago, JC Aragone had his arms raised as he stepped off Court 17 at the US Open. The American wild card couldn't fathom what had just transpired. His first tour-level qualifying victory, stunning fifth seed Marco Cecchinato from a set down, left him in disbelief.
"It's just amazing since I wasn't even in the draw," Aragone said as he walked back to the locker room. "I got a last-minute wild card. I wasn't in the tournament and then I'm the last guy in. I got the opportunity to play and I made the most of it."
Two days later, he would register another comeback after dropping the opening set and yet another three-set win would follow on Friday, once again demonstrating his resilience and tenacity. Refusing to back down in the face of adversity was Aragone's mantra throughout the week. And it is that same philosophy that has lifted the 21 year old from tragedy to triumph.
This is a miraculous tale of overcoming overwhelming odds to reach one of the grandest stages in all of sport. That is not hyperbole. Nearly six years after falling into a coma, JC Aragone has become the inspirational story of the 2017 US Open. The American qualifier, who was born in Buenos Aires but resides in California, may have succumbed in Monday's first round to Kevin Anderson, but just being on Court 5 was an accomplishment in itself.
At the age of 16, Aragone suffered kidney and liver failure from a reaction to medication. He would fall into a coma for three weeks, before beginning the long and arduous road back to leading a normal life. A diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes a year later would knock him down once again. But he got back up. And he would flourish.
"I have definitely received a ton of Facebook messages and stuff from people thanking me, giving them hope for their families. That's been kind of amazing and eye opening. At the moment I'm talking to a lot of different diabetes organizations trying to be almost like the first tennis player to be sponsored by them, become an ambassador.
"I would love nothing more than to promote my condition and teach people that it's really not that bad and it's not going to stop you from succeeding in life or achieving your dreams."
A standout player at the University of Virginia, Aragone clinched the NCAA title for the school in May with the deciding singles victory. Then, two months later, he claimed his first ATP Challenger Tour match win at the $75,000 event in Winnetka, U.S.A. But Aragone's biggest breakthrough has arrived at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. One year after needing to buy a ticket to enter the grounds, while working as a wealth management intern at J.P. Morgan, he was battling World No. 32 Kevin Anderson in front of hundreds of fans with thousands more watching from afar.
"It's crazy. I'm getting texts right now from American Airlines. I was originally supposed to be on a flight to Orlando on Monday. Really, I wasn't expecting this. It came out of nowhere. I had different plans originally and I was very fortunate to get in and make the most of my opportunity. Now I'm sitting here talking to you guys. It's been kind of a big change of plans and I guess in the best way possible."