Rinky Hijikata

Biography

Rinky Hijikata's journey in tennis has been nothing short of inspiring. Born in St Leonards, New South Wales, Rinky burst onto the international scene as a 17-year-old on the ITF circuit in March 2018. His rapid ascent saw him achieve a top 15 ranking in the ITF world junior rankings by year-end, clinching a silver medal in boys' doubles at the 2018 Summer Youth Olympics.

2019 was a breakthrough year for Rinky, as he claimed his first professional singles title at the M15 Fayetteville tournament. Demonstrating resilience and dedication, he captured his first ATP Challenger tour trophy in Playford, Adelaide, in 2022. By the end of that year, he had broken into the top 100 ATP rankings, finishing at 159.

The 2023 Australian Open was a milestone in Rinky's career, where he not only won his first Grand Slam singles match but also became a Grand Slam champion in the men's doubles with partner Jason Kubler. Their victory was all the more remarkable as they were a wildcard team, triumphing on Rod Laver Arena.

Rinky's upward trajectory continued throughout 2023, highlighted by a fourth-round finish at the US Open and ending the year ranked inside the top 70 in singles and 23rd in doubles. As the Olympics approach, Rinky's momentum shows no signs of slowing down, with quarter-final appearances at both the Brisbane International and the Delray Beach Open.

Now on the cusp of his Olympic debut, Rinky Hijikata is poised to showcase his talents on the world stage, embodying the spirit of dedication and sporting excellence.