Brit ace Toby Samuel – ranked No1,871 last year – leaves mum in tears after telling her how much he has won at US Open

TOBY SAMUEL cried down the phone to his mum citing homesickness after he banked just £190 following his first ATP Tour-level point. Almost five years on from that character-building moment, qualifier Samuel, 23, is now £140,000 richer for making the US Open second round – with his mum now the one with tears in her eyes. Toby Samuel is through to the second round at the US Open Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The tennis star’s mum was left in tears after his huge payday Credit: Shutterstock Editorial But his dad is having to make a mad transatlantic dash to get to Flushing Meadows in time for Wednesday’s clash against Czech Jirí Lehecka, the No18 seed. The Winchester Rifle can recall his 6-7 7-6 7-6 win over Chilean Michel Vernier in the last-32 of the low-key M15 Guatemala event, which earned him less than £200. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! This ITF tournament, staged in November 2021, was far removed in terms of prestige and crowd attendance from primetime at the US Open. In January 2025, he was 1,871 on the ATP list – having tumbled down because of a long-term arm injury – and he has really grafted these past 20 months, starting to make a name for himself in British tennis circles. Whatever happens in the second round, Samuel has entered the world’s top 100 for the first time. It is one of the most meteoric rises in men’s tennis history. Samuel said: “It’s kind of surreal. When I was obviously that ranking, I didn’t even imagine I’d be playing these events this year. “I was sort of hoping to be playing Challengers. But I’ve managed to carry on that form for the last year and haven’t really looked back. Most read in Sport SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET UP TO £100 BONUS Samuel has soared up the world rankings Credit: Shutterstock Editorial “I always had a good amount of belief because I was top of college for the last few years. “I got to 400 in the world and I was obviously injured, so that’s one of the reasons why my ranking was that low. “So I knew that I had the level to jump up, as well as the levels to and play here, but obviously not this fast. “There’s some not so nice countries around the world that I played in. “I played once in Guatemala for my first ever ATP point, and I won in the first round. I’d made it as a pro. “It was at 10pm at night, I was exhausted, saved five match points. I was cramping. “I said to my mum, I want to fly home, I’ve got one point. You have to go through all the tough experiences to be able to play at this level in the end, and those sort of build you as a character.” Samuel’s parents, who used to work for the NHS, were in the Big Apple for qualifying but flew back home to the UK on Friday. Samuel is preparing to face Jirí Lehecka at Flushing Meadows Credit: Shutterstock Editorial His dad is jetting in to New York for the showdown Credit: Shutterstock Editorial His dad, a mad Southampton fan, is coming back on Tuesday, while his mum is staying put as she does not feel comfortable on planes. Samuel said: “My mum gave me a voice note. She was crying a little bit, so it was pretty nice to hear that. “She’s not a good flyer, so she might stay at her home and then I’ll see her when I come back. “It’s good to get a few days’ rest and practise before Wednesday to work on a few things.” Comment now