Tennis Acumen

Rinky Hijikata: COLLEGE TENNIS

Tennis Acumen at the  Columbus Fall Challenger 2022. And we are here with Rinky Hijikata, from Australia.

(photo credit: University of North Carolina)

Tennis Acumen: So how did you get recruited into college and how did you make the decision to go, Rinky?

Rinky Hijikata: My old coach from Sydney, David Moore, had a lot of connections with the US colleges and he was the one that steered me that way. He put me in contact with some of the schools. My sister was a college swimmer, so she had that background and recommended it to me. My mom thought it was a good pathway for me, because I hadn't been doing great in juniors for a couple of years there and I was struggling a little bit physically. I was getting hurt quite a bit. So, it was a good choice, a way to get a few years of good training and good physical conditioning as well and try to improve as a player and a person. And it was probably the best choice for me. .

Tennis Acumen: Wonderful. And coming out of college and going on to the Futures and Challengers, what were the changes and what was the same?

Rinky Hijikata: The travel is a massive part of it. Yes. It's not easy, going week in, week out and playing every week, being in a different place every week. You will not have your teammates there to get around you and pick you up when you're down. When you're in college, it's a lot easier I think, because you've got ten other guys who are there to push you and make sure you're doing the right thing. I think that's one of the biggest differences.

(This exclusive interview has generated seven ‘quick read’ excerpts, to be posted at tennisacumen.com over time.)

NICK CHAPPELL: BUILDING A CAREER

This is one of twelve excerpts from an exclusive interview with Nick Chappell at the 2022 Columbus Fall Challenger.

They will be posted over time in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Tennis Acumen: Well, that leads me to this question, Nick. Why are you still doing this?

Nick Chappell: I don't feel I've reached my potential. I am trying to push through a little longer to see if I can break through. I guess if it hadn't taken me so long to reach the Challengers, I might have a different perspective because there are some guys who jump right up into Challengers and once they are stuck in Challengers for a few years, then it's probably not going to happen. But for me, I was stuck at Futures for a long time, probably three or four years before I played the Challengers. I'm fairly new to the Challenger tour, honestly. Like it's only my second full year, especially since COVID hit right when I was breaking through in the Challengers. So that delayed me another year. I have a little more left to prove, tennis wise. I really love to play so I want to keep playing as long as I can. I am getting older. I am also thinking about what I’m want to do after I'm done playing tennis. I have been coaching more, working with TCU, and giving more private lessons while I'm at home. And I'll definitely coach for a little while after I'm done playing, Now, while I am on court, I am trying to learn things from the coaching perspective. I feel like it gives me a different outlook on court. I don't know if that's what I'm going to do forever. But for now, I'm enjoying it.

Tennis Acumen: I get the feeling you are going to figure this out.

Nick Chappell: I hope so. Yes, we'll see.

Photo of the Day: Maria Sharapova and Jimmy Connors

In 2013, Maria Sharapova hired Jimmy Connors as her coach, following a loss and an injury at Wimbledon. Her first appearance came in Cincinnati, playing against young American Sloane Stephens. Sharapova had beaten Stephens in straight sets in their three previous meetings, so she started with confidence.  Sharapova was up 6-2, 2-0 before losing a second set tiebreak and falling in three sets. This was the only match Connors ever coached. After this single match, Connors was fired.  This rare photo shows the two on court in Cincinnati.

Photo credit: Karl Corbett. Photo (c) Tennis Acumen

 

See our complete photo  gallery here: (LINK)

 

 

NICK CHAPPELL: FAVORITE FOODS

This is one of twelve excerpts from an exclusive interview with Nick Chappell at the 2022 Columbus Fall Challenger. They will be posted over time in the fourth quarter of 2022.

Tennis Acumen: You mentioned food. Do you have any favorite restaurants or places you will always go when you hit a given city?

Nick Chappell: I try whatever food there is, wherever I might be. So that's why I do like traveling to other countries because it's a little bit different. In the US. there's more chains and you are more likely to eat at Chipotle in the US. If I'm outside the U.S., I really enjoy trying other types of foods. I love Mexican food, so that's one of the reasons I like going to Mexico.

Tennis Acumen: Authentic. Real stuff. Now, if you're having friends over and you were cooking dinner, what would be your 'go to' meal?

Nick Chappell: My girlfriend I will host, and we try to pick something together. Our favorite food to go out on the date is French food. So, one that we've consistently made a couple of times is beef bourguignon, a French stew. It's really easy to cook for a lot of people because you make it a crock pot. It's really hearty, but it's delicious.

Tennis Acumen: Most guys would say I would order takeout. (laughter) Yeah, that's what most guys tell me. Some specifically say: “I would just order pizza.”

Nick Chappell: Oh, man. I know some of those guys.

Rinky Hijikata: PLAYING AGAINST RAFA

Tennis Acumen reporting from the  Columbus Fall Challenger 2022. We are here with Rinky Hijikata, from Australia. Looking back a few weeks to 2022, late August and the first round at the US Open. Ranked outside the top 200, Rinky Hijikata saw the draw sheet and realized he'd be playing his first round match on Center Court against Rafael Nadal. Hijikata came in a 28-1 underdog, and took the first set prior to falling in a four-setter. We asked him about that match, and the experience. 

 

(photo credit: Karl Corbett)

Tennis Acumen: I do have to ask about one match and that would be playing Rafael Nadal this year at the U.S. Open. You had a crowd there, didn't you?

Rinky Hijikata:Yes, that was pretty crazy.

Tennis Acumen: What was that experience like?

Rinky Hijikata: It was nothing that I've ever contemplated. The court, the stadium,  it's the biggest in tennis, I'm guessing. I've never played in anything close to that and that was definitely nerve-wracking. You know, there's nothing that can prepare you for something like that, your first. But even then, I saw the draw and I was really excited for the challenge. I thought it was going to be a great opportunity for me to put my best foot forward and give him my best. Obviously, I would have loved to have come away with a win there, but so far in my career, that's definitely been one of the highlights.

Tennis Acumen: You took a set. That's not bad at all.

Rinky Hijikata: It would have been nice to get two more, but....

Tennis Acumen: I love your spirit.

Rinky Hijikata: You know, he is who he is for a reason. It's not easy to knock off those guys, so….. I'd love to get another crack one day, hopefully soon. Yeah, I'd love to get another opportunity to play against a legend.

(This exclusive interview has generated seven ‘quick read’ excerpts, to be posted at tennisacumen.com over time.)

Photo to Begin 2023: Nick Kyrgios

 

Nick Kyrgios crashing a presser in Cincinnati in 2017.

Photo Credit: Christopher Johnson