New York, August 28 – Rinky Hijikata, an Australian wildcard entrant at the U.S. Open, secured his first victory at the tournament on Monday, but his celebration was swiftly overshadowed by a tragic incident back at the University of North Carolina (UNC), where he had studied business for two years.
In a grueling battle that spanned four hours, Hijikata triumphed over Russia’s Pavel Kotov with a scoreline of 7-5, 5-7, 6-3, 7-5, thereby earning a spot in the second round at Flushing Meadows.
However, his jubilation was short-lived upon learning of a shooting incident that resulted in the death of a faculty member at UNC, the institution where Hijikata’s girlfriend is currently enrolled.
In a somber tone, Hijikata conveyed his mixed emotions: “I came off the court and saw there was a shooting at UNC that’s kind of put a dampener on it (win). First and foremost I want to send my thoughts and prayers to everyone back in Chapel Hill because that’s not something you want to see.”
He further emphasized the significance of the incident over his tennis achievement: “There are a lot bigger things than my tennis match here today. I guess it is just the reality of life sometimes in this country, which is not a good thing.”
Hijikata’s perspective on safety in the United States resonated deeply as he acknowledged that he hasn’t always felt secure during his time in the country. Reflecting on the contrast with his Australian background, he remarked, “I feel like as an Australian it can be a little bit of a head scratcher at times, the way things run in the U.S. There are times when you kind of don’t feel safe, and it’s very unfortunate what’s happened today.”
Despite the tragedy’s impact on his emotional state, Hijikata expressed his determination to refocus on his upcoming match against Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics on Wednesday. He shared his intent to play with added intensity in honor of those affected by the incident: “Come tomorrow, hopefully I will be alright. I’ll definitely be focused on my match. If anything, I want to try and play 10, 20% harder on Wednesday for everyone at school.”
Hijikata’s poignant response underscored the complex blend of personal achievement and societal concerns that athletes often navigate, reflecting the broader context in which sports events unfold.
