Rinky Hijikata: Age, Ethnicity, Ranking, Olympic Silver

There’s something compelling about a player who climbs from unranked junior to Olympic medalist in just a few years, and Rinky Hijikata has done exactly that, earning a silver medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games and breaking into the ATP top 100. This piece sorts through the facts on his age, ethnicity, ranking history, and personal life — separating what’s known from what’s still private.

Born: 23 February 2001 ·
Height: 5’10” (178 cm) ·
Career-high singles ranking: World No. 62 ·
Turned pro: 2021 ·
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

The table below summarizes key biographical information about Rinky Hijikata.

What ethnicity is Rinky Hijikata?

Japanese and Australian background

• According to multiple sources, Rinky Hijikata is of Japanese descent on his father’s side and was born in Australia, making him Japanese-Australian (Spanish Wikipedia – biographical entry). Official Tennis Australia profiles do not specify ethnicity but note his parents are Japanese immigrants (Tennis Australia).
• He represents Australia in international competition, holding an Australian passport and competing under the Australian flag (Tennis Australia – Australian players list).

Rinky Hijikata’s parents

• The Spanish-language Wikipedia identifies his father as Makoto and his mother as Junko, both Japanese nationals who moved to Australia before his birth (Spanish Wikipedia). A Japanese summary site repeats this claim (Weblio – Japanese encyclopedia-style entry). Official English-language profiles do not list his parents’ names.

The implication is that Hijikata’s dual heritage is a key part of his identity as an athlete.

How old is Rinky Hijikata?

Birth date and age

• Rinky Hijikata was born on 23 February 2001, making him 24 years old as of early 2025 (BNP Paribas Open – tournament player page). The ATP Tour and Tennis Australia confirm this birth date (ATP Tour).
• He is still in his early twenties, an age where many tennis players reach their physical and technical peak.

Early life in Sydney

• Hijikata grew up in Sydney, New South Wales, and began playing tennis at a young age (Tennis Australia – player profile). He attended local schools and trained at tennis academies in the region.
• His junior career included a silver medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires (Olympics.com – athlete profile).

The pattern suggests his early achievements point to a promising future.

What is Hijikata’s highest tennis ranking?

Singles ranking

• Hijikata’s career-high ATP singles ranking is world No. 62, achieved in August 2024 (Wikipedia). This ranking places him firmly inside the top 100, a significant milestone for any professional.
• Tennis Australia’s year-end rankings show his steady climb: No. 746 in 2019, No. 677 in 2020, No. 369 in 2021, No. 166 in 2022, No. 71 in 2023, and No. 73 in 2024 (Tennis Australia – year-end singles ranking history).

Doubles ranking

• Hijikata has also achieved a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 23 in October 2023 (Tennis Australia – player profile). He is known as a strong doubles player, complementing his singles game.
• He won ATP Challenger titles in both singles and doubles, building a reputation as a versatile competitor (ITF – international tennis federation record).

Career milestones

• 2023: Broke into the top 100 for the first time after a strong run on the ATP Challenger Tour (Tennis Abstract – statistical profile).
• 2024: Reached career-high No. 62 in singles and continued to compete on the ATP Tour main draw (ESPN – player page).

The catch: his singles ranking remains below his doubles peak, highlighting an area for growth.

Is Rinky Hijikata married?

Relationship status

• There is no public record of Rinky Hijikata being married. His official profiles – ATP Tour, Tennis Australia – do not mention a spouse or partner (ATP Tour – profile).
• He maintains a private personal life, rarely sharing details on social media or in interviews.

Past rumors

• No verified rumors about a significant other exist in reputable media. Some fan speculation on social platforms remains unconfirmed.

The pattern: his privacy extends to personal relationships, making speculation unreliable.

Does Rinky Hijikata have siblings?

Siblings information

• Information about Rinky Hijikata’s siblings is not publicly confirmed. Neither Tennis Australia nor the ATP Tour lists any siblings (Tennis Australia profile).
• Some secondary sources suggest he may have a sister, but this cannot be verified through official channels.

Family background

• His parents are identified as Makoto and Junko, both Japanese immigrants to Australia. No further family details are available in reliable sources (Spanish Wikipedia).

What this means: fans should treat any sibling claims as unconfirmed.

Timeline

• 2001 – Born 23 February in Sydney, Australia (Tennis Australia)
• 2018 – Silver medal in boys’ doubles at the Youth Olympic Games (Tennis Australia)
• 2021 – Turned professional (ATP Tour)
• 2023 – Reached career-high singles ranking of world No. 62 (Wikipedia)
• 2024 – Year-end singles ranking of No. 73 (Tennis Australia)

The pattern: his timeline shows a steep climb that few players achieve.

This clarity check helps readers distinguish verified facts from areas where data is missing.

Frequently asked questions

For Australian tennis fans, the takeaway is clear: Rinky Hijikata is a rising talent with proven doubles prowess and a singles ranking that continues to climb. His next challenge will be to break into the top 50 consistently, or risk remaining known more as a doubles specialist than a singles contender. The decision to invest in his singles development or lean into doubles will define his place in the sport for the next five years. You can also read about Kyle Chalmers: Olympic Career, Wife, Net Worth & New Family and Ugo Humbert: Career, Injuries, Height, and Residence (2025) for more Australian sports profiles.