Rinky Hijikata is part of a new generation of tennis players making their mark on the ATP tour. While the attention is on players such as Joao Fonseca or Jakub Mensik, Hijikata has quickly become a player to watch, both in singles and doubles.
This young star has competed through junior tennis, collegiate athletics, and eventually the professional tour. Though still early in his career, Hijikata has already achieved significant milestones, including a doubles Grand Slam title.
He is regarded for his playing style characterized by aggressive baseline play, strong two-handed backhand, and court coverage. As he starts to gain confidence and matches on the international stage, here’s what you need to know about his family, coach, background and more.
How old is Hijikata?
As we said, Rinky Hijikata is part of the new generation of tennis. He is 24 years old, born on February 23, 2001.
Hijikata is a professional tennis player (Getty Images)
Where is Hijikata from?
He was born in Sydney, Australia, to Japanese immigrant parents, Junko and Makoto. Hijikata started playing tennis in his backyard at the age of three, showing an early passion for the sport.
What is his highest ranking so far?
His highest singles ranking is world No. 62, achieved in August 2024, and in doubles, he reached a career-high of No. 23.
What are his career highlights?
Hijikata’s biggest career highlight is winning the 2023 Australian Open men’s doubles title with Jason Kubler, making him a Grand Slam champion. In singles, he reached the fourth round of the 2023 US Open as a wildcard.
He has also recorded ATP quarterfinal and semifinal appearances, won multiple ITF and Challenger titles, and earned wins over top players like Matteo Arnaldi and Frances Tiafoe. His Masters 1000 debut came at Indian Wells in 2023, and he continued building momentum through 2024.
What do we know about Hijikata’s family?
He comes from an athletic family. His father, Makoto, is a tennis coach, and his mother is Junko. His siblings, Shori and Kamiyu, were both competitive swimmers. As a child, he was also active in football, rugby, swimming, and surf lifesaving before focusing on tennis.
Who is Hijikata’s coach?
Hijikata is currently coached by Mark Draper. He also credits Ben Pyne, Jarrad Bunt, and David Moore for helping shape his game during his development years.
