“There are definitely better draws out there, but I've been injured for such a long period of time that to be honest I don't really mind so much.”
— James Duckworth, 3 Jul 2018
» Plucky Duckworth back at Wimbledon
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
| 2017 | 979 |
| 2016 | 103 |
| 2015 | 120 |
| 2014 | 127 |
| 2013 | 136 |
| 2012 | 209 |
| 2011 | 274 |
| 2010 | 755 |
| 2009 | 1711 |
Titles/Finals
Titles
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
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
Duckworth claims first title in two years
17 September, 2018
James Duckworth's victory at the ATP Challenger tournament in Cary, North Carolina has pushed the Australian back inside the world's top 300 as he continues his…
Read moreJames Duckworth's victory at the ATP Challenger tournament in Cary, North Carolina has pushed the Australian back inside the world's top 300 as he continues his…
Biggest movers: top 40 debut for Millman, De Minaur
11 September, 2018
Impressive performances at the US Open have boosted John Millman and Alex De Minaur to career-high rankings. Australia now has four men inside the top 50 for the first time since…
Read moreImpressive performances at the US Open have boosted John Millman and Alex De Minaur to career-high rankings. Australia now has four men inside the top 50 for the first time since…
Kubler posts stunning US Open win
28 August, 2018
Jason Kubler beats 19th seed Roberto Bautista Agut to claim his first Grand Slam main-draw win, but James Duckworth falls to Andy Murray in four sets.
Read moreJason Kubler beats 19th seed Roberto Bautista Agut to claim his first Grand Slam main-draw win, but James Duckworth falls to Andy Murray in four sets.
Aussies set for US Open
27 August, 2018
Australia has 12 players lining up in the men's and women's main draws at the US Open, many of whom discussed their chances with the media ahead of their 2018 campaigns.
Read moreAustralia has 12 players lining up in the men's and women's main draws at the US Open, many of whom discussed their chances with the media ahead of their 2018 campaigns.
James Duckworth's Gallery
