Rinky Hijikata’s Brisbane Battle Puts Aussie Tennis Back in Focus
Right now, the name Rinky Hijikata is trending across sports feeds, and it’s because of a gripping moment at the 2026 Brisbane International that captured exactly why early-season tennis can be so compelling.
Hijikata, one of Australia’s rising talents, stepped onto the court against the powerful Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a match that quickly became a talking point. Early on, it looked like a breakthrough night. Hijikata came out sharp, absorbed the pace, and took the first set with controlled aggression and smart shot selection. That opening set win lit up social media, with fans sensing an upset and praising the composure he showed against a physically imposing opponent known for his serve and raw power.
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But tennis rarely follows a simple script. As the match wore on, momentum began to shift. Mpetshi Perricard adjusted, leaned into his strengths, and started dictating play with heavier groundstrokes and more confident service games. Hijikata stayed in the contest, forcing long rallies and pushing the match into a deciding set, but in the end, the Frenchman edged him out in a three-set thriller. The result meant Hijikata exited the Brisbane International earlier than hoped, despite that promising start.
This moment is trending now for a few reasons. First, the Brisbane International is a key lead-in event to the Australian Open, so every performance is viewed through that larger lens. Second, Australian fans are especially tuned in to local players at this stage of the season, eager for signs of form and confidence on home soil. And finally, the contrast between Hijikata’s strong opening set and the eventual loss made the match feel like a snapshot of where he currently stands in his career.
The impact of this loss isn’t just about one tournament. It shapes expectations heading into the Australian Open, influences rankings points, and adds another layer to the conversation around Australia’s next generation of men’s tennis players. It also serves as a reminder that progress in tennis is rarely linear, and that close losses can be as revealing as big wins.
So while the scoreboard shows an early exit, the broader story is one of competitiveness, growth, and belief. Rinky Hijikata leaves Brisbane without a trophy, but with renewed attention and a sense that his game is edging closer to where it needs to be as the season’s biggest stages come into view.
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