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Christopher O'Connell

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Christopher O'Connell (born 3 June 1994) is an Australian professional tennis player. O'Connell reached a career high ATP singles ranking of World No. 53 on 11 September 2023 and a doubles ranking of No. 460 on 25 April 2022.

Christopher O'Connell
O'Connell at the 2021 French Open
Country (sports) Australia
ResidenceSydney, Australia
Born (1994-06-03) 3 June 1994 (age 30)[1]
Sydney, Australia
Height1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[2]
Turned pro2011
PlaysRight-handed (one-handed backhand)
CoachMarinko Matosevic (2021-)[3]
Prize money$ 3,010,732
Singles
Career record47–70
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 53 (11 September 2023)
Current rankingNo. 71 (3 November 2024)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open3R (2022)
French Open1R (2021, 2022, 2023)
Wimbledon3R (2023)
US Open3R (2024)
Doubles
Career record3–10
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 460 (21 March 2022)
Current rankingNo. 1252 (14 October 2024)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open3R (2022)
Wimbledon1R (2023)
US Open1R (2023)
Last updated on: 14 October 2024.

Personal life

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His father is Irish.[citation needed] He grew up on the Northern Beaches of Sydney[4] where he made his ATP Tour debut in January 2017 at the Sydney International.

As of August 28, 2023, he was one of only twelve members of the ATP top 100 to hit a one-handed backhand.[citation needed]

O'Connell is a supporter of English football club Crystal Palace F.C..[5]

Career

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2011–16: Professional career beginnings

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O'Connell played his first ITF Men's Circuit match in October 2011, where he defeated Robert Howe in the Australia F8 before being defeated in the second round. O'Connell ended 2011 with a ranking of 1745. In 2012, O'Connell lost in the first round of qualifying for the Caloundra Challenger while attending the Australian Institute of Sport on a tennis scholarship.[6] He played two more ITF tournaments in Asia before having an 22-month hiatus from professional tennis.[7]

In 2014, O'Connell was given a wild card into the qualifying rounds of the 2014 McDonald's Burnie International, where he qualified and made the quarter-final. He then played a series of ITF tournaments across Australia before travelling to Europe. In June 2014, he played in and won his first ITF Men's Circuit final in Bol, Croatia. He returned to Australia and played in the Latrobe City Traralgon ATP Challenger. He ended 2014 with a ranking of 487. In 2015, O'Connell played sporadically on the ITF and Challenger circuits across Australia and Asia, without a title. His best result was a quarter-final result at Gimcheon Challenger. Also in 2015, O'Connell worked in his hometown of Sydney, Australia to save money.[8] He ended 2015 the year with a ranking of 567.

In 2016, O'Connell won five ITF Futures titles across Australia and Europe.[9] In December 2016, O'Connell said; "I decided this year just to play a lot of matches. I think I've played over 80 matches this year and I've predominantly been in Europe – I was there for about seven months just playing week-in and week-out on the clay so I've got a lot match fitness and experience."[10] Massively improving his ranking in 2016, O'Connell finished the year ranked 237.

2017–18: Major & ATP debuts, injury struggles, severe drop in rankings

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In January 2017, O'Connell made his ATP World Tour debut after qualifying for the Sydney International in his hometown.[11] He was defeated in the first round by Portugal's Gastão Elias. O'Connell then received a wildcard for the 2017 Australian Open[12] where he lost his first round match in straight sets to (then) world number 15 Grigor Dimitrov in his Grand Slam debut.[13] O'Connell then competed in the Burnie and Launceston challengers, before competing on the ATP Challenger Tour across Asia, Europe and North America with limited success. In October, O'Connell qualified for and reached the semi-final of the Fairfield Challenger. O'Connell finished 2017 with a singles ranking of 393.

The 2018 season was interrupted by a knee injury for O'Connell [14] where he was only able to play 24 matches across the Futures, Challenger and ATP World Tours finishing the year with a singles ranking of 1185.

2019: Return from injury and first Challenger title

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O'Connell began the year receiving wildcards into qualifying for both the 2019 Brisbane International and 2019 Sydney International, losing to Cristian Garín and Guido Andreozzi respectively.

After the restructuring of the ITF/ATP points system and the launch of the ITF World Tour, O'Connell returned to the Futures circuit to start his 2019 season. Playing on clay, he made consecutive finals in Mornington before travelling to Europe to play in tournaments in Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina, winning titles in Antalya and Doboj while improving his ATP singles ranking to No. 559 and his ITF World Tour singles ranking to No. 52 by mid-May.[15] "I had a fair bit of time off, so after coming back it takes longer to get into the swing of things," O'Connell, said. "I finally feel like I'm starting to find a bit of form and get more comfortable on the court."[14]

Reaching an ITF World Tour singles ranking of No. 5 and leading the Tour in Finals made with 10, O'Connell returned to the ATP Challenger Tour in July recording wins in San Benedetto, Sopot and Tampere, most notably defeating former world number 5 Tommy Robredo in straight sets in their second round clash at the 2019 BNP Paribas Sopot Open. Adjusting back to the Challenger Tour quickly, O'Connell made a breakthrough at the 2019 Internazionali di Tennis del Friuli Venezia Giulia in Cordenons, Italy, claiming his first Challenger Tour title with a straight sets victory over German Jeremy Jahn in the final.[16] With his maiden title, O'Connell's ATP Tour ranking improved from 313 to 220 in men's singles.[17] In September, O'Connell reached the final of Sibiu Challenger, which saw his ranking inside the top 200 for the first time.[18]

In October, O'Connell defeated American Steve Johnson in straight sets to claim his second Challenger title of the year to at the 2019 Fairfield Challenger in Fairfield, California. Speaking of O'Connell's performance, four time ATP champion and former world No. 21 Johnson said: "I thought he played some of the best tennis of his life. Too good. And when that happens, you say ‘too good’ and move on."[19] O'Connell then followed his title with a series of strong results on the Challenger Tour, making semi-finals in Las Vegas and Houston & a final in Knoxville where he was defeated by Michael Mmoh in straight sets.

He finished 2019 with a singles ranking of No. 119, a career-high.

2020: First Grand Slam match win

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In January, O'Connell reached the quarterfinals of the 2020 Bendigo Challenger. O'Connell was awarded a wildcard into the 2020 Australian Open, where he lost in four sets to 17th seed Andrey Rublev.[7] In February, O'Connell reached the semifinals of the 2020 Challenger Banque Nationale de Drummondville, before the COVID-19 shutdown.

Upon recommencement, O'Connell won his first Grand Slam match, defeating Laslo Djere at the 2020 US Open.[20] O'Connell finished 2020 with a singles ranking of No. 120.

2021: First ATP quarterfinal, Masters debut

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O'Connell commenced 2021 at the 2021 Great Ocean Road Open, where he reached the second round.[7]

The following week having been awarded a third wildcard at the Australian Open, O'Connell achieved an upset first round victory against Jan-Lennard Struff before falling to Moldovan Radu Albot in the second round.[21]

He made his Masters debut at the 2021 Miami Open with a direct entry into the main draw.

In his first participation in his career in the main draw at the French Open as a wildcard, O'Connell lost in the first round to Tommy Paul in a tight five sets match.[22] In June, he also qualified for the first time in his career for the Wimbledon main draw, where he lost in the first round to No. 13 seed Gaël Monfils.[7]

In July, O'Connell qualified for and won his fourth and fifth career ATP main draw matches at the Atlanta Open.[23] In Atlanta, O'Connell reached his first ATP quarterfinal and registered his first win over a top 30 player, defeating Jannik Sinner in the second round.[24] He would end up losing to John Isner in the quarterfinals.[25] Following the US Open, O'Connell reached the final of the Saint-Tropez Challenger. O'Connell finished 2021 with a singles ranking of No. 175.

2022: Australian Open third round in singles & doubles, top 100, first ATP semifinal

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O'Connell was awarded a fourth wildcard into the 2022 Australian Open.[26] He defeated Hugo Gaston in the first round.[27] He reached the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time in his career defeating thirteenth seed and world No. 13 Diego Schwartzman in straight sets.[28][3] He would lose to American Maxime Cressy in the third round. As a result, he returned to the top 150 at world No. 147 on 31 January 2022. O'Connell qualified for Dubai, where he lost to Andy Murray in the first round, despite winning the first set.

O'Connell won his 12th challenger title in Split, after Zsombor Piros retired in the final trailing 0–2 in the second set after O'Connell won the first. He also upset Albert Ramos Viñolas after qualifying for Geneva before losing to 4th seed Reilly Opelka in the second round. He received a second consecutive wildcard for the 2022 French Open in May.[29] He made his top 100 debut on 18 July 2022 following the 2022 Wimbledon Championships where he did not participate.

He reached his first ATP semifinal at the 2022 San Diego Open defeating compatriot Jason Kubler by retirement, eight seed J. J. Wolf and second seed Jenson Brooksby.[30]

O'Connell finished 2022 with an ATP singles ranking of No. 79.

2023: Second Major third round and ATP semifinal, top 55

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O'Connell started his 2023 season in Adelaide. At the first tournament, he lost in the first round to Miomir Kecmanović.[31] At the second tournament, he fell in the final round of qualifying to compatriot John Millman. However, due to the withdrawal of Sebastian Korda, he earned a spot as a lucky loser into the main draw.[32] He was defeated in the first round by eighth seed Tommy Paul.[33] At the Australian Open, he lost in the first round to American Jenson Brooksby in four sets.[34] In February, O'Connell played at the 2023 Bahrain Ministry of Interior Challenger. Seeded third, he lost in the second round to Jan-Lennard Struff.

In April, in Munich, Bavaria he reached his second ATP semifinal defeating third seed and world No. 16 Alexander Zverev en route, his first top-20 win of the season.

In July, at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships he reached the third round of Grand Slam for a second time but lost to Chris Eubanks.[35] Following reaching the second round at the US Open he reached the top 55 in the rankings on 11 September 2024.

2024: Miami fourth round, US Open third round

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In January, at the Australian Open he defeated Cristian Garin in five sets.

In March, at the 2024 BNP Paribas Open he reached the second round defeating Jack Draper. At the 2024 Miami Open he reached the fourth round of a Masters for the first time in his career, having never been past the second round at this level, defeating qualifier Vit Kopriva, 21st seed Francis Tiafoe and wildcard Martin Damm Jr..[36] He lost to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.[37]

At the 2024 US Open, he reached his third Grand Slam third round with wins over 26th seed Nicolás Jarry and Mattia Bellucci.[38][39]

ATP Challenger and ITF Tour finals

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Singles: 27 (15–12)

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Legend (singles)
ATP Challenger Tour (6–4)
ITF Futures Tour (9–8)
Titles by surface
Hard (7–4)
Clay (8–8)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L    Date    Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 Jun 2014 Croatia F12, Bol Futures Clay   Gaston-Arturo Grimilizzi 7–6 (7–4), 3–6, 7–6 (7–1)
Win 2–0 Feb 2016 Australia F1, Port Pirie Futures Hard   Blake Mott 7–6 (8–6), 3–6, 6–2
Loss 2–1 Mar 2016 Australia F4, Mornington Futures Hard   Andrew Whittington 5–7, 3–6
Win 3–1 Jul 2016 Serbia F1, Belgrade Futures Clay   Nerman Fatić 6–4, 6–1
Win 4–1 Aug 2016 Serbia F4, Novi Sad Futures Clay   Stefano Travaglia 7–6 (8–6), 6–4
Win 5–1 Oct 2016 Australia F8, Cairns Futures Hard   Blake Mott 0–6, 6–2, 6–4
Win 6–1 Nov 2016 Australia F10, Blacktown Futures Hard   Max Purcell 6–2, 6–2
Loss 6–2 Mar 2019 M15 Mornington, Australia World Tennis Tour Clay   Harry Bourchier 4–6, 4–6
Loss 6–3 Mar 2019 M15 Mornington, Australia World Tennis Tour Clay   Harry Bourchier 4–6, 6–4, 3–6
Loss 6–4 Apr 2019 M15 Antalya, Turkey World Tennis Tour Clay   Ronald Slobodchikov 6–7 (5–7), 6–3, 1–6
Loss 6–5 Apr 2019 M15 Antalya, Turkey World Tennis Tour Clay   Christopher Heyman 6–4, 3–6, 6–7 (0–7)
Win 7–5 Apr 2019 M15 Antalya, Turkey World Tennis Tour Clay   Jonáš Forejtek 2–6, 6–4, 6–1
Win 8–5 May 2019 M25 Doboj, Bosnia Herzegovina World Tennis Tour Clay   Botic van de Zandschulp 6–4, 7–6 (7–1)
Loss 8–6 May 2019 M15 Brčko, Bosnia Herzegovina World Tennis Tour Clay   Juan Pablo Ficovich 4–6, 4–6
Loss 8–7 Jun 2019 M25 Kiseljak, Bosnia Herzegovina World Tennis Tour Clay   Francisco Cerúndolo 6–3, 4–6, 4–6
Win 9–7 Jun 2019 M15 Balatonalmádi, Hungary World Tennis Tour Clay   Gergely Madarász 6–3, 6–1
Loss 9–8 Jul 2019 M25 Casinalbo, Italy World Tennis Tour Clay   Christian Lindell 6–7(5–7), 7–5, 3–6
Win 10–8 Aug 2019 Cordenons, Italy Challenger Clay   Jeremy Jahn 7–5, 6–2
Loss 10–9 Sep 2019 Sibiu, Romania Challenger Clay   Danilo Petrović 4–6, 2–6
Win 11–9 Oct 2019 Fairfield, USA Challenger Hard   Steve Johnson 6–4, 6–4
Loss 11–10 Nov 2019 Knoxville, USA Challenger Hard (i)   Michael Mmoh 4–6, 4–6
Loss 11–11 Aug 2021 Saint-Tropez, France Challenger Hard   Benjamin Bonzi 7–6(12–10), 1–6, 0–0 ret.
Win 12–11 Apr 2022 Split, Croatia Challenger Clay   Zsombor Piros 6–3, 2-0 ret.
Loss 12–12 Jul 2022 Porto, Portugal Challenger Hard   Altuğ Çelikbilek 6–7(5–7), 1–3 ret.
Win 13–12 Oct 2022 Yokohama, Japan Challenger Hard   Yosuke Watanuki 6–1, 6–7(5–7), 6–3
Win 14–12 Sep 2023 Shanghai, China Challenger Hard   Yosuke Watanuki 6–3, 7–5
Win 15–12 Sep 2024 Guangzhou, China Challenger Hard   Sho Shimabukuro 1–6, 7–5, 7–6 (7–5)

Doubles

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Legend (singles)
ATP Challenger Tour (0–0)
ITF Futures Tour (1–0)
Titles by surface
Hard (0–0)
Clay (1–0)
Grass (0–0)
Carpet (0–0)
Result W–L Date Tournament Category Surface Partner Opponents Score
Win 1–0 Sep 2014 Croatia F17, Bol Futures Clay   Jonny O'Mara   Blaž Bizjak
  Peter Mick 		6–2, 6–4

Performance timelines

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Key
W  F  SF QF #R RR Q# P# DNQ A Z# PO G S B NMS NTI P NH
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (P#) preliminary round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (Z#) Davis/Fed Cup Zonal Group (with number indication) or (PO) play-off; (G) gold, (S) silver or (B) bronze Olympic/Paralympic medal; (NMS) not a Masters tournament; (NTI) not a Tier I tournament; (P) postponed; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.

Singles

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Current through the 2024 National Bank Open.

Tournament 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 SR W–L Win %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open 1R A A 1R 2R 3R 1R 2R 0 / 6 4–6 40%
French Open A A A Q1 1R 1R 1R A 0 / 3 0–3 0%
Wimbledon A A A NH 1R A 3R 1R 0 / 3 2–3 50%
US Open A A A 2R Q2 1R 2R 3R 0 / 4 4–4 50%
Win–loss 0–1 0–0 0–0 1–2 1–3 2–3 3–4 3–3 0 / 16 10–16 38%
ATP Masters 1000
Indian Wells Masters A A A A A Q2 Q1 2R 0 / 1 1–1 50%
Miami Open A A A A 1R A 1R 4R 0 / 3 3–3 50%
Monte Carlo Masters A A A A A A A 1R 0 / 1 0–1 0%
Madrid Open A A A A A A 2R 1R 0 / 2 1–2 33%
Italian Open A A A A A A 1R 1R 0 / 2 0–2 0%
Canadian Open A A A A A A Q2 Q2 0 / 0 0–0 0%
Cincinnati Masters A A A A A Q1 Q1 A 0 / 0 0–0 0%
Shanghai Masters A A A NH 1R 0 / 1 0–1 0%
Paris Masters A A A A A A Q2 0 / 0 0–0  – 
Win–loss 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–0 0–1 0–0 1–4 4–5 0 / 10 5–10 33%
Year-end ranking 393 – 119 120 175 79 68

Doubles

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Tournament 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 SR W–L Win %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open 1R A 3R A 1R 0 / 3 2–3 40%
French Open A A A A A 0 / 0 0–0  – 
Wimbledon NH A A 1R A 0 / 1 0–1 0%
US Open A A A 1R 0 / 1 0–1 0%
Win–loss 0–1 0–0 2–1 0–2 0–1 0 / 5 2–5 29%
Year-end ranking 699 1170 563T 883

References

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  1. ^ "ITF: Christopher O'Connell profile". International Tennis Federation.
  2. ^ "ATP: Christopher O'Connell profile". Association of Tennis Professionals.
  3. ^ a b "O'Connell thanks coach Matosevic after reaching third round". 20 January 2022.
  4. ^ Prentice, Andrew (18 January 2017). "Peninsula star relishes time on court". Daily Telegraph.
  5. ^ @CPFC (16 January 2017). "Best of luck to No. CPFC fan..." (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "AIS scholarships awarded for 2012". Tennis Australia.
  7. ^ a b c d "Christopher O'Connell – the breakthrough continues". WLM Tennis. 8 December 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2021.
  8. ^ Prentice, Andrew (11 January 2017). "From selling clothes to taking on the world's best". Daily Telegraph.
  9. ^ "Tennis Australia: Christopher O'Connell profile". Tennis Australia.
  10. ^ "PLAYER PROFILE Christopher O'Connell". Tennis Australia. Retrieved 22 January 2017.
  11. ^ "Barton, O'Connell boost Aussie troupe to five". Apia International Sydney.
  12. ^ Malone, Paul (8 January 2017). "O'Connell scores last Open wildcard". The Courier Mail.
  13. ^ "Dimitrov downs plucky O'Connell at Open". SBS Television.
  14. ^ a b "O'Connell finds form in Mornington". Tennis Australia.
  15. ^ "Christopher O'CONNELL Player Profile". ITF.
  16. ^ "FIRST CAREER ATP CHALLENGER TITLE FOR O'CONNELL". Tennis Australia. 19 August 2019. Retrieved 20 August 2019.
  17. ^ "ATP Rankings History". ATP World Tour.
  18. ^ "BIGGEST MOVERS: STOSUR RETURNS TO TOP 100". Tennis Australia. 23 September 2019. Retrieved 23 September 2019.
  19. ^ "Stebe Johnson praises Chris O'Connell for Fairfield final performance". 15 October 2019.
  20. ^ "O'Connell Makes Dream US Open Debut". Tennis Australia. 2 September 2020. Retrieved 4 February 2021.
  21. ^ "Local wildcard Chris O'Connell wins Australian Open first-round match against Jan-Lennard Struff". ABC News. 9 February 2021. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
  22. ^ "O'Connell's despair in first five-setter". The West Australian. 31 May 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  23. ^ "Aussies Continue Winning Run in Atlanta". Tennis Australia. 28 July 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2021.
  24. ^ "O'Connell Scores Career Best Win". Tennis Australia. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  25. ^ "O'Connell loses ding-dong Atlanta battle". Seven News. 30 July 2021. Retrieved 31 July 2021.
  26. ^ "AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2022 MEN'S SINGLES WILDCARDS REVEALED". Tennis Australia. 8 January 2022. Retrieved 8 January 2022.
  27. ^ "O'Connell charges into Australian Open 2022 second round". Tennis Australia. 18 January 2022.
  28. ^ "High Tide: Christopher O'Connell Stuns Diego Schwartzman at Australian Open". ATP Tour.
  29. ^ "Roland-Garros 2022: Wildcards Announced". rolandgarros.com. 10 May 2022. Retrieved 11 May 2022.
  30. ^ "O'Connell progresses to first ATP singles semifinal". Tennis Australia.
  31. ^ "Early exits for Holger Rune, Auger-Aliassime in Adelaide". indianexpress.com. 2 January 2023. Retrieved 20 November 2023.
  32. ^ "John Millman earns pre-Open Adelaide tilt". www.sheppnews.com.au. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  33. ^ "Tommy Paul beats Christopher O'Connell to reach the second round at Adelaide International 2". www.ubitennis.net. 10 January 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Ruud Passes Machac Test". www.atptour.com. 17 January 2023. Retrieved 23 November 2023.
  35. ^ "Australia's last singles hope at Wimbledon 2023, Chris O'Connell, loses to American Chris Eubanks in third round". ABC news. 8 July 2023. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  36. ^ "O'Connell used to clean boats, now he looks to clean up Sinner". 26 March 2024.
  37. ^ "Sinner overcomes O'Connell's slice-and-dice, reaches Miami QFs". 26 March 2024.
  38. ^ "Thompson takes top-10 scalp to continue Australia's US Open charge". The Sydney Morning Herald. 29 August 2024.
  39. ^ "'Silent Assassin' O'Connell excited for Sinner challenge". ATPTour. 31 August 2024.
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