J.J. Wolf cruised through the first round of qualifying at the Western & Southern Open 6-3, 6-1 over Igor Gerasimov to become the winner of the first completed ATP-level match in 178 days.

Though the Cincinnati native won’t have the honor of competing in front of his hometown fans this year, he still managed to steal the show on opening day not only with his powerful first-strike game but also with his incredible hair.

Advertising

Wolf is channeling the 1990s version of his favorite player Andre Agassi by rocking a full-blown mullet, complete with blonde highlights. It isn’t the first time the 21-year-old has sported the unique hairstyle: he had it sans-dye ahead of last year’s NCAA championships, where he anchored the top-seeded Ohio State Buckeyes to the Elite Eight.

Advertising

After deciding to turn pro shortly after the season, the onus is now on his shoulders, and that’s just the way he likes it.

“I chose tennis because it came down to what I could control,” Wolf told Baseline. “On the court it’s all about you every point.”

Though Wolf has yet to compete in an ATP main draw, he’s more than ready to finally make his mark on the big leagues beyond his flash hairstyle. After his dominant performance Thursday morning, Wolf will face off against Jaume Munar next.

Check out the latest episode of the TENNIS.com Podcast with Tennys Sandgren:

J.J. Wolf rocks 
mullet, wins first 
match in New York

J.J. Wolf rocks mullet, wins first match in New York