“It'd be huge, I'm telling you. It would be the best feeling.”
— John-Patrick Smith, 12 Jan 2021
» Sweeny, Tomic, Smith march on in AO 2021 qualifying
On court
- Started playing tennis aged seven
- The drive to follow a professional tennis career kicked in at age 17
- Enjoyed a successful junior career, peaking at No.6 in the ITF Junior rankings
- Represented the University of Tennessee from 2007 to 2011; named an All-American in singles and doubles for four straight years, one of only two players in National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) history to achieve the feat
- Ranked No.1 in both singles and doubles during his American college career
- Named Southeastern Conference Athlete of the Year in 2011
- Won his first ITF Futures Pro Circuit event in 2011, securing the Oklahoma F19 title
- Broke into the world’s top 300 for the first time in May 2012
- Won his first Challenger title in 2012 at Winnetka; earned a second Challenger crown at Drummondville in 2015
- Peaked at a career-high singles ranking of No.108 in September 2015, the same year he won through qualifying to the main draw of Wimbledon and the US Open
- Qualified again at the US Open in 2017, and at Wimbledon in 2018
- Won first career ATP doubles title in Atlanta in 2018 (with Nicholas Monroe)
- Reached Australian Open 2019 mixed doubles final with compatriot Astra Sharma
- Tennis idol is Andre Agassi
- Favourite surface is hard courts
- Feels his game most closely resembles that of John McEnroe
- Names Marcos Baghdatis as the toughest opponent he’s ever faced
- Dream tennis scenario would be to take on Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open
- Would want Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Russell Crowe and Will Ferrell sitting in his entourage during an Australian Open match at Rod Laver Arena.
Off court
- Nickname is “JP” or “J-bomber”
- Enjoys rugby, surfing, and swimming
- Graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Economics
- Names democracy and capitalism as two of his loves
- His perfect day would involve sitting by the beach
- Would have followed a career on Wall Street had he not been a tennis player.
Year-end ranking history
2021 | 390 |
2020 | 310 |
2019 | 291 |
2018 | 200 |
2017 | 221 |
2016 | 232 |
2015 | 129 |
2014 | 201 |
2013 | 222 |
2012 | 246 |
2011 | 441 |
2010 | NR |
2009 | NR |
2008 | 1148 |
John-Patrick Smith in the news
Preston scores major breakthrough with first top-50 win at San Diego
28 February, 2024
Perth teen Taylah Preston has recorded her first tour-level main-draw win at a WTA 500 tournament in America.
Read morePerth teen Taylah Preston has recorded her first tour-level main-draw win at a WTA 500 tournament in America.
Saville leads a strong contingent of Aussies in action this week
26 February, 2024
Daria Saville storms past Czech teen Linda Fruhvirtova to qualify at a WTA 500 hard-court tournament in San Diego.
Read moreDaria Saville storms past Czech teen Linda Fruhvirtova to qualify at a WTA 500 hard-court tournament in San Diego.
Aussie weekly wrap: 14 Australians contest finals across historic week
26 February, 2024
The fast-rising Taylah Preston was among 14 Australian players to contest finals in professional tournaments this week.
Read moreThe fast-rising Taylah Preston was among 14 Australian players to contest finals in professional tournaments this week.
Perez, Hunter to face-off in WTA 1000 doubles final at Dubai
23 February, 2024
Ellen Perez and Storm Hunter, who are close friends and Australian team-mates, play each other in a WTA 1000 doubles final in Dubai.
Read moreEllen Perez and Storm Hunter, who are close friends and Australian team-mates, play each other in a WTA 1000 doubles final in Dubai.