Rinky Hijikata is a 21 year old Australian tennis-playing youngster who is currently competing in the US Open. Rinky started playing tennis at a young age, since his father is a tennis coach, and after progressing through some amateur tournaments, he turned pro in 2021.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Australian tennis hotshot.
Rinky Hijikata Quick Facts
Name: Rinky Hijikata
Age: 21
DoB: 23 February 2001
Nationality: Australia
Height: 5 ft 10 in / 1.78m
Weight: 159lbs / 72kg
Ranking: 198
Net Worth: $1.2 million estimated ($222,993 earned in prize money)
Instagram: @r1nky_23 – 5.9k followers
Who is Rinky Hijikata?
Rinky Hijikata is an Australian tennis player who was born on 23rd February 2001 in Sydney, Australia. He picked up his first tennis racquet around the age of 3 or 4, and was coached by his father, Junko.
Rinky also showed interest in other sports as a child, competing in football, rugby and swimming, and he even trained to be a surf lifesaver.
His siblings, Shori and Kamiyu are also keen athletes, but compete in swimming instead.
Rinky attended The King’s School in Sydney and joined the varsity tennis team when he was 11. He then moved to America and played college tennis at the University of North Carolina from 2020-2021.
Away from tennis, Rinky says his favourite subject at school was business, according to ATP Tour, and he plans to plans to finish his undergraduate degree in the future. He also says his secret talent is being able to sleep on aeroplanes.
Rinky Hijikata Tennis Carrer
Rinky’s first ITF (International Tennis Federation) match came at the Australia F3 tournament in 2018, in Mornington, Australia. He did, however, lose his first match against fellow Australian Matthew Dellavedova.
He then appeared in the Australia F4 tournament a week later, and managed to progress to the second round, but lost out to Max Purcell (who recently won the men’s doubles championship at Wimbledon).
Rinky was given a wildcard into the 2019 Australian Open, but went out in the first round but eventually won his first professional singles title at the M15 Fayetteville in Arkansas, also in 2019.
Wildcards into the Australian Open came once again for Rinky in 2020 and 2021, but on both occasions he only made it to the second round.
Rinky made it on the ATP in 2022 and made his tour debut at the 2022 Melbourne Summer Set 1. Rinky made it through the qualifying stages but went out in the first round of the tournament to Maxime Cressy.
Rinky attempted to make it into the 2022 Australian Open via qualifying, but once again went out in the second round. However, following some wins at ITF tournaments in California, Rinky was able to break into the ATP top 300 in March 2022.
He is now ranked 198th on the ATP Tour.
2022 US Open
Rinky Hijikata made it into the 2022 US Open, marking his first appearance in a Grand Slam tournament. His first round opponent was Spanish tennis player, Rafael Nadal. Rinky managed to win the first set but Rafa responded by taking the second and third.
Rafael Nadal eventually won the fourth set after a 9 game thriller, which saw the pair trading advantage points, to win the match 6-4, 2-6, 3-6, 3-6.
Despite Rinky going out in the first round, he will take home $80,000 in prize money.
Tennis Opens
Rinky, accompanied by his partner Lauren, graced Bayldons’ event with their presence. In 2023, Rinky showcased his tennis prowess at the Australian Open, advancing to the semi-finals but narrowly missing out on the finals. Nonetheless, he clinched victory in the Australian Open doubles. With his powerful backhand service, Rinky expressed a fondness for this particular aspect of his game.
In May 2023, Rinky embarked on his first Miami Open experience, immersing himself in the vibrant tennis atmosphere. Later in the year, he explored Chapel Hill in North Carolina while enriching his travels with cultural experiences.
Continuing his career journey, Rinky graced the courts of the US Open, where he advanced to the fourth round, demonstrating his consistency and skill on the grand stage. Transitioning to the grass season, he made appearances at tournaments in Paris and the Del Ray Open, further expanding his competitive edge.
As the face of the Google Pixel brand, Rinky celebrated another milestone in his career by securing his grand slam title, marking a significant achievement in his tennis journey. To celebrate this triumph, he treated his wife and teammates to a memorable boat cruise, basking in the joy of his success.
Clay Court Season
The talented Australian tennis player currently ranked 80th in the ATP rankings, achieved a significant milestone in April 2024. Competing in the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship, Hijikata emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter where he faced off against the fifth-seeded Christopher Eubanks in the tournament’s first round.
This triumph not only showcases Hijikata’s proficiency on clay courts but also proves his potential as a formidable competitor in the ATP Tour circuit. As he continues to make his mark in professional tennis, Hijikata’s victory serves as a testament to his dedication, talent, and relentless pursuit of excellence.
Rinky Hijikata Net Worth
Rinky’s exact net worth is unknown right now, although his career earnings to date are $222,993. Some publications estimate his net worth to be around $1.2 million, but this hasn’t been proven.
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