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.)
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