
“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
- Favourite surface is fast clay, favourite shot is the serve and favourite tournament is the Australian Open
- 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
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
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 |
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
Wimbledon 2022: Doubles draws revealed

24 June, 2022
Sixteen Australian players are set to compete across the gentlemen's and ladies' doubles competitions at Wimbledon 2022.
Read moreSixteen Australian players are set to compete across the gentlemen's and ladies' doubles competitions at Wimbledon 2022.
Wimbledon 2022: Singles draws unveiled

24 June, 2022
Find out who our Aussie players face in the opening round at Wimbledon 2022 ...
Read moreFind out who our Aussie players face in the opening round at Wimbledon 2022 ...
Kyrgios continues impressive grass-court form at Mallorca

22 June, 2022
Australian Nick Kyrgios has scored a three-set win against Serbia's Laslo Djere at an ATP 250 tournament in Spain.
Read moreAustralian Nick Kyrgios has scored a three-set win against Serbia's Laslo Djere at an ATP 250 tournament in Spain.
De Minaur makes strong start at Eastbourne

21 June, 2022
Australian Alex de Minaur has powered into the second round at an ATP 250 tournament at Eastbourne.
Read moreAustralian Alex de Minaur has powered into the second round at an ATP 250 tournament at Eastbourne.