Damian Kust joined the LastWordOnTennis team in 2019. In that time, he quickly established himself as one of the most passionate tennis fans we had ever met. His passion did not show itself with serious fandom for top players or elite stars. No. What set Damian apart was how much he loved to follow the levels of tennis below the main ATP Tour. Grand Slams were fun, sure, but Damian loved watching the Challenger Tour more than anything else.
No one else anywhere online or in media showed Damian’s dedication to the lower tiers of tennis. These places are where future stars are made–but also where the hardworking players who might never have Top 10 talent labored, day after day, to pursue their passion of professional tennis. And that’s what Damian saw. He saw and loved the purity of the sport in the lower tours, as players who often barely scraped by made their way forward in this beautiful sport. He told their stories and shone a deserving spotlight on players who were otherwise often overlooked.
Damian’s passion was infectious. It spread to his editors, to his fellow writers, and to all fellow fans who interacted with him online. His love for the sport and all its players was an inspiration to so many. The immediate support that Damian received on the news of his passing shows the extent of his reach across the tennis community. It is a devastating loss felt not only by his family, but by his friends, colleagues, and the thousands that his passion for tennis touched across the world.
Damian’s passion inspired others, not only in tennis. He showed everyone what dedication to a cause and a craft truly meant, and he taught us by example how to follow our own passions, whether related to tennis or not.
We are the parents of Damian. Today our best son passed away. Thank you all for your support.
— Damian Kust (@damiankust) January 6, 2026
If you have any personal memories of Damian, please email them to [email protected] and we will pass them along to his family.
Damian was taken from us far too young. May his memory be a blessing.
LastWordOnTennis