Promising teen who performed coin toss between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev dies in road accident

The death of two promising tennis players in their teens, one of whom performed the coin toss between Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev ahead of the 2021 US Open final, has shocked fans in the US.

Drew Hassenbein and Ethan Falkowitz (both aged 14) and two others were travelling in a car when they were hit by a drunk driver in a pickup truck. The incident took place in Long Island on Wednesday night.

Hassenbein, who was picked for the coin toss in Flushing Meadows, was a top-ranked varsity tennis player. Falkowitz was also a budding tennis player.

"Horrible news from Long Island: one of the boys killed was Drew Hassenbein, a highly-ranked young player who was chosen to perform the coin toss between Djokovic and Medvedev before the 2021 US Open men’s final," journalist Ben Rothenberg tweeted about the incident.

The accused, Amandeep Singh, was taken into custody following the tragedy. Hundreds of people from the local community gathered outside the court to show support for the families of the teens who lost their lives.

Both Hassenbeim and Falkowitz died on the spot while the two other boys, aged 16 and 17, were hospitalized following the accident. The driver of the truck was reportedly headed the wrong way in an intoxicated state when the crash occurred.

The four teens were on their way home following a victorious tennis match.

When Daniil Medvedev ended Novak Djokovic's Calender Grand Slam hopes

Medvedev with the 2021 US Open trophy while Djokovic flanked by runner-up Djokovic

The match in which Drew Hassenbein performed the coin toss was quite a momentous one. After having defeated Daniil Medvedev in the final of the 2021 Australian Open, Novak Djokovic had set the stage for what was set to be the culmination of a historic season.

A record-extending ninth win in Melbourne for Djokovic was followed by an incredible triumph against arch rival Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the French Open. The Serb then got past Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Roland Garros final after having lost the first two sets.

Matteo Berrettini then failed to stop Novak Djokovic from defending his Wimbledon title. With 20 Grand Slam titles to his name, the Serb went into the US Open looking to emulate Calender Grand Slam winners Don Budge and Rod Laver.

Novak Djokovic beat Holger Rune in the first round in New York before accounting for Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets. He looked well on course for the US Open title despite losing the opening sets to Kei Nishikori, Jenson Brooksby and Berrettini and being taken to five sets by Alexander Zverev in the semifinals.

History seemed to be on the cards for the Belgrade-born player but Medvedev had other ideas, stunning the tennis world by registering a 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 win. This was the Russian's first (and so far only) Major triumph.