University of North Carolina Athletics
Rinky Hijikata
Photo by: Dana Gentry
U.S. Open Men's Field Dotted With Tar Heels
August 29, 2022 | Men's Tennis
Rinky Hijikata To Face Nadal In US Open On Tuesday
A trio of former University of North Carolina men's tennis stars will play at the U.S. Open, set to begin this week in New York.
 Rinky Hijikata is quickly making a mark in professional tennis since turning pro in 2021. The '21 All-America will face second-seeded Rafael Nadal in the first round of the 2022 US Open at center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadow, N.Y., on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. He will be making is Grand Slam singles main draw debut. ESPN and ESPN2 will televise Tuesday night's action.
"I'm really pumped and couldn't believe it at first," Hijikata says. "It's a dream come true to play the main draw of a Slam and I'm so thankful for this opportunity."
Hijikata played two seasons as a Tar Heel in 2019-20 and 2020-21, earning All-America status as a sophomore in 2021 after reaching the NCAA Championship Round of 16. He finished the '21 season ranked No. 22 nationally in singles after finishing at No. 67 as a freshman in 2020.
Meanwhile, Hijikata isn't the only former Carolina star appearing at the US Open this week.Â
Nicholas Monroe (UNC Class of 2004) will pair with Keegan Smith in the doubles draw in what will be Monroe's final event in his successful ATP Tour career. Monroe and Smith will meet Alex Molcan of Slovakia and Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in the opening round. Â Monroe won the Patterson Medal, UNC's highest individual athletic honor as the top senior male student-athlete at Carolina after his All-America career.
William Blumberg (UNC '21) and partner Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia will play the 11th-seeded duo of England's Lloyd Glasspool and Finland's Harri Heliovaara.  Blumberg is the most decorated player in the Carolina history and the only 10-time All-America in Intercollegiate Tennis Association history.
The men's doubles draw is set to begin on Wednesday.
 Rinky Hijikata is quickly making a mark in professional tennis since turning pro in 2021. The '21 All-America will face second-seeded Rafael Nadal in the first round of the 2022 US Open at center court at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadow, N.Y., on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. He will be making is Grand Slam singles main draw debut. ESPN and ESPN2 will televise Tuesday night's action.
"I'm really pumped and couldn't believe it at first," Hijikata says. "It's a dream come true to play the main draw of a Slam and I'm so thankful for this opportunity."
Hijikata played two seasons as a Tar Heel in 2019-20 and 2020-21, earning All-America status as a sophomore in 2021 after reaching the NCAA Championship Round of 16. He finished the '21 season ranked No. 22 nationally in singles after finishing at No. 67 as a freshman in 2020.
Meanwhile, Hijikata isn't the only former Carolina star appearing at the US Open this week.Â
Nicholas Monroe (UNC Class of 2004) will pair with Keegan Smith in the doubles draw in what will be Monroe's final event in his successful ATP Tour career. Monroe and Smith will meet Alex Molcan of Slovakia and Marton Fucsovics of Hungary in the opening round. Â Monroe won the Patterson Medal, UNC's highest individual athletic honor as the top senior male student-athlete at Carolina after his All-America career.
William Blumberg (UNC '21) and partner Miomir Kecmanovic of Serbia will play the 11th-seeded duo of England's Lloyd Glasspool and Finland's Harri Heliovaara.  Blumberg is the most decorated player in the Carolina history and the only 10-time All-America in Intercollegiate Tennis Association history.
The men's doubles draw is set to begin on Wednesday.
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