“We're going to go out there and give it our best shot,” he said. “I think we've got a good chance”
— James Duckworth, 2 Mar 2020
» Team dream for in-form Duckworth
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
- 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
- Dreams of representing Australia in Davis Cup
- Favourite surface is fast clay, favourite shot is the serve and favourite tournament is the Australian Open
- Best memory in tennis so far is playing Junior Davis Cup for Australia
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.
Year-end singles ranking history
| 2018 | 245 |
| 2017 | 979 |
| 2016 | 103 |
| 2015 | 120 |
| 2014 | 127 |
| 2013 | 136 |
| 2012 | 209 |
| 2011 | 274 |
| 2010 | 755 |
| 2009 | 1711 |
Titles/Finals
Titles
2020 Bengaluru Challenger
2019 Bangkok Challenger, Baotou Challenger, Playford Challenger, Pune Challenger
2018 Cary Challenger
2016 China F6 ITF, Bangkok Challenger, Canberra Challenger, Toyota Challenger
2014 Lexington Challenger, Charlottesville Challenger
2013 Bundaberg F5 ITF, Chile F3 ITF
2011 Poland F1 ITF, Poland F4 ITF, Italy F17 ITF, Italy F23 ITF
Finals
2019 Yokkaichi Challenger, Las Vegas Challenger
2018 Turkey F22 ITF
2016 Kobe Challenger
2015 Kolkata Challenger
2014 Santiago Challenger
2013 Melbourne F1 ITF, Lexington Challenger
2011 Poland F2 ITF, Italy F16 ITF
James Duckworth in the news
Eleven Aussies enter US Open
5 August, 2020
World No.26 Alex de Minaur is among 11 Australians who plan to contest the US Open later this month.
Read moreWorld No.26 Alex de Minaur is among 11 Australians who plan to contest the US Open later this month.
Patience pays for Millman and Duckworth
24 May, 2020
The return to tennis after COVID-19 presents a new challenge for John Millman and James Duckworth, who have both proven in their careers that perseverance can reap rewards.
Read moreThe return to tennis after COVID-19 presents a new challenge for John Millman and James Duckworth, who have both proven in their careers that perseverance can reap rewards.
Isolation activities keeping our top players busy
22 May, 2020
Some of our Australian players share what off-court activities are keeping them entertained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Read moreSome of our Australian players share what off-court activities are keeping them entertained during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A silver lining to isolation?
12 May, 2020
Some of Australia's top-ranked players and past greats share their experiences of COVID-19 isolation.
Read moreSome of Australia's top-ranked players and past greats share their experiences of COVID-19 isolation.
James Duckworth's Gallery
