PLAYER PROFILE

Luke Saville

  • Age29
  • Born 1 February 1994
  • Birth PlaceAdelaide, South Australia
  • LivesAdelaide, South Australia
  • Height184 cm
  • PlaysRight-handed
  • CoachGrant Doyle
  • Pro Since2008
FOLLOW
“We'd love to play for Australia, represent our country ... so we're going to keep working hard, putting our best foot forward.”

— Luke Saville, 6 Feb 2020

» Purcell and Saville: poised to take the next step

On court

  • Began hitting tennis balls against a wall aged three
  • Family relocated from the country to the city so he could train with quality coaches and hitting partners
  • At age 10, started to believe he could make it as a professional player
  • Member of the victorious Australian Junior Davis Cup team in 2009
  • Awarded the Burr Medal for the best male player in South Australia in 2010
  • Claimed the Don Turnbull Trophy for being the state’s best under-18 player in 2010
  • Won the junior Wimbledon title in 2011
  • Won the Australian Open boys’ singles title in 2012
  • Claimed his maiden ITF Futures Pro Circuit singles title at the Thailand FI in Bangkok in 2012
  • Member of the Australian Institute of Sport Pro Tour Program in 2012
  • Tennis heroes are Rafael Nadal because “he leaves absolutely nothing on the court” and Roger Federer, who “has so much talent it’s scary”
  • Ambition is to reach his full potential and know at the end of his career that he achieved everything he could. “Top 10 or better would be unbelievable.”
  • Strengths are his game from the back of the court, particularly his forehand wing
  • Feels his game most closely resembles that of Mardy Fish
  • Toughest opponent he’s ever faced is Grigor Dimitrov
  • One match he wishes he could replay was the 2012 Wimbledon junior singles final; Saville lost 7-5 6-4 to Canada’s Filip Peliwo
  • Dream tennis scenario would be to defeat Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena in the opening round of the Australian Open
  • Ultimate professional goals are to play Davis Cup for Australia and to rank inside the ATP top 10
  • Made Australian Open 2020 men’s doubles final as a wildcard pairing with Max Purcell

Off court

  • Favourite meal is steak with mashed potato and vegetables
  • Hobbies are most sports, movies and relaxing with family and friends
  • His family, parents Mick, a construction manager, mother, Judy, brother, Troy, and sister, Kate, all play
  • Married to fellow Australian player Daria Saville (nee Gavrilova)
  • Best piece of advice he’s received is to enjoy the journey – there are many ups and downs, so cherish the ups
  • Would have been a golfer had he not followed a career in tennis

Year-end singles ranking history

2022 584
2021 632
2020 367
2019 325
2018 477
2017 518
2016 267
2015 187
2014 158
2013 440
2012 343
2011 1180
2010 1361
2009 1664

Titles/Finals

Titles

2015 USA F24 ITF

2014 Port Pirie F2 ITF, Mildura F3 ITF, Glen Iris F5 ITF

2013 Sydney F10 ITF

2012 Thailand F1 ITF, Cairns F5 ITF

Finals

2019 Brisbane ITF

2018 Renmark F1 ITF

2015 Manchester Challenger, Brisbane F9 ITF, Canberra Challenger

2014 Happy Valley F1 ITF

2013 USA F10 ITF, Thailand F4 ITF

2012 Traralgon F11 ITF

Luke Saville in the news

Aussie weekly wrap: Promising Australian teens scoop ITF titles
Rising Aussie teens Edward Winter and Stefani Webb both won ITF titles this week.
12 November, 2023

Rising teens Edward Winter and Stefani Webb were among four Australians to win ITF titles this week.
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Aussie weekly wrap: 14 finalists across three different continents
Australian players Taylah Preston, Destanee Aiava, Matt Ebden and Omar Jasika all contested finals this week.
16 October, 2023

Australian players Taylah Preston, Destanee Aiava, Matt Ebden and Omar Jasika all contested finals this week.
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A record number of Australian men to compete at Shanghai Masters
Alex de Minaur, Max Purcell and Aleksandar Vukic lead the Aussie charge at the Shanghai Masters.
3 October, 2023

Alex de Minaur, Max Purcell and Aleksandar Vukic lead a strong Aussie contingent at this week's ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Shanghai.
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John Peers advances to doubles final in Kazakhstan
John Peers in action. Picture: Getty Images
2 October, 2023

Australian John Peers and Croatian partner Mate Pavic progress to an ATP 250 doubles final in Astana.
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