James Duckworth

australian-flag

Australia

active

He’s been really pushing me to play the right style and get me to be more aggressive.

James Duckworth, 2 Sep 2022
James Duckworth wins a tennis shot

Biography

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
  • Won the Hangzhou Challenger in 2024, and was a finalist in Shenzhen, ending the year ranked world No. 82 
  • Lifted the San Luis Challenger trophy in 2025, and made Challenger finals in Taipei and Morelia 
  • Upset second seed Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in straight sets to advance to the final eight of the Los Cabos tour event 
  • Reached the semifinals of a tour event for the first time in four years at the 2025 Almaty Open, succumbing to second seed Daniil Medvedev in three sets.

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.

Statistics

Key statistics

Born21 January 1992
BirthplaceSydney, Australia
Height183cm
PlaysRight-handed
CoachPaul Baccanello

Singles titles

  • 2025: San Luis Challenger, Sydney Challenger 
  • 2024: Hangzhou Challenger 
  • 2023: Shenzhen Challenger, Playford Challenger 
  • 2021: Istanbul Challenger 
  • 2020: Bengaluru Challenger 
  • 2019: Bangkok Challenger, Baotou Challenger, Playford Challenger, Pune Challenger 
  • 2018: Cary Challenger 
  • 2016: Canberra Challenger, Toyota Challenger, Bangkok Challenger 
  • 2014: Lexington Challenger, Charlottesville Challenger 

Singles finals

  • 2025: Morelia Challenger, Taipei Challenger 
  • 2024: Shenzhen Challenger 
  • 2023: Burnie Challenger, Bengaluru Challenger, Cuernavaca Challenger, Drummondville Challenger 
  • 2022: Cassis Challenger 
  • 2021: Nur-Sultan 
  • 2019: Yokkaichi Challenger, Las Vegas Challenger 
  • 2016: Kobe Challenger 
  • 2015: Kolkata Challenger 
  • 2014: Santiago Challenger 
  • 2013: Lexington Challenger 

Doubles titles

  • 2013: Itajai Challenger

Doubles finals

  • 2016: Brisbane International 
  • 2015: Kolkata Challenger 
  • 2013: West Lakes Challenger

Year-end singles ranking history

YearWorld ranking
2025106
202482
2023116
2022172
202149
2020103
2019100
2018245
2017979
2016103
2015120
2014127
2013136
2012209
2011274
2010755
20091711

Gallery