Rinky Hijikata is an Australian tennis pro who’s made waves in doubles with a Grand Slam title under his belt. He’s pushing hard in singles too, with recent deep runs showing his potential as of early 2026.
Rinky Hijikata’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
| Full Name | Rinky Hijikata (土方 凛輝) |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | February 23, 2001 |
| Age | 25 years |
| Nationality | Australian (Japanese descent) |
| Height | 5’10” (178 cm) |
| Weight | 159 lbs (72 kg) |
| Handedness | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Turned Professional | 2021 |
| Event / Category | Singles & Doubles (ATP) |
| Current Team | Australia (coach: Mark Draper) |
| Career Prize Money | $3,671,145 |
| Titles | 2023 Australian Open Doubles (w/ Jason Kubler), 2023 Japan Open Doubles (w/ Max Purcell), 4 Challenger singles titles, 7 ITF singles titles |
| Sponsors | Fila (clothing/shoes), Yonex (racquet), Wilson, Nike, Rolex (mentioned in some contexts) |
| Marital Status | Unmarried |
| Girlfriend | Lauren Baddour |
| Instagram Profile | @r1nky_23 |
Rinky grew up in Sydney with tennis-coach parents who got him swinging a racket at age 3 or 4. His Instagram shares glimpses of tour life, training, and fun travels. No kids mentioned in public records.
Early Career
Rinky started tennis young in Sydney, attending The King’s School. He shone as a junior, winning the Newcombe Medal for Male Junior Athlete of the Year in 2018 and 2019. At the 2018 Youth Olympics, he grabbed silver in doubles with Adrian Andreev, reached Australian Open junior QF, and Wimbledon doubles SF.
From 2019-2021, he played college at UNC Tar Heels, earning All-American honors and peaking at No. 22 singles. ITF pro debut in 2018 led to 7 singles titles by 2022. (78 words)
Professional Career
Rinky turned pro in 2021 after college, cracking ATP top 300 in 2022 with his first Challenger win in Playford. Breakthrough came in 2023: wildcard Australian Open doubles title with Jason Kubler (ranked No. 277 then), US Open singles 4R (top 100 debut at No. 82), Japan Open 500 doubles win with Max Purcell (top 25 doubles).
2024 brought clay wins, ATP 500 QF at Queen’s, career-high singles No. 62. In 2025, Wimbledon doubles final loss; 2026 Indian Wells 4R beat top-10 Bublik for first top-10 win, back to top 100 at No. 95. Career singles 35-54 ATP, doubles 44-40, 4 Challenger singles, 2 ATP doubles titles. Current ranks: singles ~117, doubles ~62.
Girlfriend
Rinky is in a relationship with girlfriend Lauren Baddour, whom he met at UNC during college tennis days. She’s had her own high school tennis success, but they keep things low-key publicly. No spouse or children reported.
Rinky Hijikata’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Rinky’s net worth sits around $2 million, driven by $3.67 million in career prize money. Endorsements from Fila, Yonex, and others add steady income as he climbs ranks. Expect growth with more deep runs and titles.
Prize Money
| Year | Prize Money (USD) |
| 2023 | $1,101,452 |
| 2024 | $928,505 |
| 2025 | $1,085,290 |
| 2026 | $223,115 (YTD) |
| Career | $3,671,145 |
Career Earnings
| Category | Earnings (USD) | Notes |
| Singles Prize | ~$2,000,000 | Estimated from totals |
| Doubles Prize | ~$1,671,145 | Includes GS/ATP wins |
| Endorsements | ~$300,000+ | Fila, Yonex, etc. yearly |
| Total Net Worth | $2,000,000 | As of 2026 estimates |
Endorsements
Rinky partners with Fila for clothing and shoes, giving him that sharp on-court look across hard, grass, and clay. Yonex supplies his racquets, key for his aggressive righty game. Brands like Nike, Wilson, and Rolex pop up in profiles, boosting his profile through tour events and social media.
These deals grew post-2023 AO win, with Octagon handling PR—smart for a rising Aussie star traveling the world. No massive shoe contract yet, but top-100 pushes mean more coming.
Career Records
| Opponent | Rank at Time | Event/Year | Result | Score |
| Alexander Bublik | No. 10 | Indian Wells 2026 | Win | 6-7(3), 7-6(7), 6-3 |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | No. 3 | AO 2023 | Loss | 2R |
| Daniil Medvedev | No. 1 | Los Cabos 2022 | Loss | 1R |
| Grigor Dimitrov | Top 20 | Brisbane 2024 | Loss QF | – |
| Frances Tiafoe | Top 20 | Queen’s 2024 | Win (ret.) | QF run |
FAQs
1. Who is Rinky Hijikata?
Rinky Hijikata is an Australian professional tennis player of Japanese descent, born in Sydney. He turned pro in 2021 after a successful college career at the University of North Carolina and excels in both singles and doubles.
2. What is his age and birthday?
Rinky Hijikata was born on February 23, 2001, making him 25 years old as of March 2026.
3. What is his height and playing style?
He stands at 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) tall and weighs 72 kg. Hijikata plays right-handed with a two-handed backhand.
4. What are his current ATP rankings?
As of 2026, Hijikata is ranked No. 117 in singles with 547 points. His career-high singles ranking is No. 72 from November 2023.
5. What are his major achievements?
Hijikata won the 2023 Australian Open men’s doubles title with Jason Kubler as wildcards. He also claimed the 2023 Japan Open (ATP 500) doubles with Max Purcell and multiple Challenger singles titles.
6. What is his family background?
Born to Japanese immigrant parents Makoto (tennis coach) and Junko Hijikata, he has two siblings, Shori and Kamiyu, both competitive swimmers.
7. Who is his coach?
His coach is Mark Draper, a former Australian professional player who has guided him through key career transitions.
8. Does he have a girlfriend?
Rinky Hijikata has been dating Lauren Baddour since 2021.
9. What is his college tennis background?
Hijikata played college tennis at the University of North Carolina, where he achieved ITA All-American status and gained crucial experience in high-pressure matches.
10. What are his recent results?
In 2026, Hijikata has a 14-8 singles record so far. He recently defeated Luciano Darderi at the Paribas Open and won the 2024 Playford Challenger doubles with Yuta Shimizu.