PLAYER PROFILE

James Duckworth

9
AUSTRALIAN
RANKING
109
ATP
RANKING
  • Age32
  • Born21 January 1992
  • Birth PlaceSydney, New South Wales
  • LivesSydney, New South Wales
  • Height182 cm
  • PlaysRight-handed
  • CoachAnthony Lane
  • Pro Since2007
FOLLOW
“(My) tennis is slowly getting there. I feel like I'm getting better every week, nearly, which is positive. Still got a little bit to go, but there's been some good stuff.”

— James Duckworth, 2 Sep 2022

» Duckworth: “I’m feeling way better than I was a month ago”

On court

  • Took up tennis aged seven and his whole family, including father, David, sister, Kate, and brother, Nick, all play
  • His grandmother, Beryl Penrose, won the Australian Open singles and doubles in 1955
  • Member of the Australia’s Junior Davis Cup team, that competed in the finals in Mexico in 2008
  • In 2010, reached the Roland Garros junior semifinals and Australian Open junior quarterfinals
  • Secured his maiden ITF Futures title in Poland in 2011
  • Won his first ATP World Tour match at the 2012 Brisbane International, beating Frenchman Nicolas Mahut in round one
  • Made his Grand Slam debut at Australian Open 2012, reaching the second round
  • Came through qualifying round to reach main draw at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in back-to-back years (2013 and 2014)
  • Cracked ATP top 100 on 23 March 2015
  • Made first ATP-level semifinal in Pune in February 2020, helping him achieve a new career-high ranking
  • Achieved a life-long dream to represent Australia in Davis Cup in March 2020
  • Made a Grand Slam third round for the first time at Wimbledon 2021
  • Represented Australia at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games
  • Reached first ATP singles final at Nur-Sultan in September 2021
  • Recorded first year-end top-50 finish in 2021, ending season at world No.49
  • Goal is to reach the highest level in the sport, following in the footsteps of his hero, Andy Murray, who he says “is an extremely clever tennis player with a vast amount of talent to back it up”
  • Other idols are Lleyton Hewitt and Pat Rafter
  • Favourite surface is fast clay, favourite shot is the serve and favourite tournament is the Australian Open
  • Won his 13th ATP Challenger singles title in October 2023, making him the most successful Australian at this level in history

Off court

  • Nickname is ‘Ducks’
  • Studying a commerce degree at Deakin University
  • Hobbies include surfing, table tennis, cricket, soccer and hanging with his mates
  • If he weren’t a tennis player he would be a rugby league player for Newcastle Knights
  • His family supports the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation
  • Underwent surgeries on right foot in February 2017, August 2017 and January 2018, as well as on right elbow in February 2018, right shoulder in March 2017 and March 2020, and hip in January 2022.

Year-end singles ranking history

2023 116
2022 172
2021 49
2020 103
2019 100
2018 245
2017 979
2016 103
2015 120
2014 127
2013 136
2012 209
2011 274
2010 755
2009 1711

James Duckworth in the news

Ranking movers: Hunter and Thompson on the rise
Storm Hunter and Jordan Thompson
13 February, 2024

After milestone weeks on their respective tours, Storm Hunter and Jordan Thompson each make significant ranking gains.
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Duckworth advances to Dallas Open quarterfinals
James Duckworth in action; Getty Images
8 February, 2024

James Duckworth defeats Christopher Eubanks, marking his first top-50 win in more than two years, to reach the quarterfinals in Dallas.
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Aussie trio start strong at Dallas Open
Jordan Thompson advances to the second round of the Dallas Open.
7 February, 2024

Jordan Thompson, Max Purcell and James Duckworth have each advanced to the second round of the ATP 250 tournament in Dallas.
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Aussie weekly wrap: Seven Australians feature in finals
Ellen Perez and Nicole Melichar-Martinez celebrate their finals appearance in Linz.
4 February, 2024

Ellen Perez, a doubles finalist in Linz with American Nicole Melichar-Martinez, was among seven Australian players to feature in professional tennis finals this week.
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