PLAYER PROFILE

Akira Santillan

  • Age27
  • Born22 May 1997
  • Birth PlaceTokyo, Japan
  • LivesBrisbane, Queensland, Australia
  • Height176 cm
  • PlaysRight-handed
  • CoachMark Draper
FOLLOW
“He obviously got his revenge on me, so this time it’s time to get my revenge back.”

— Akira Santillan, 29 Jan 2015

» Santillan into boys’ semis at Australian Open

On court

  • finished runner-up at the 2014 Roland Garros junior boys’ doubles event with Austrian Lucas Miedler
  • won biggest career title at the Winnetka Challenger in July 2017; attained career-high ranking of world No.144 later that season
  • won first pro title in five years at an ITF Futures event in Monastir, Tunisia in 2022, one of four Futures finals he reached that year
  • favourite thing about being a tennis player is travelling and playing other people around the world
  • first realised he was good enough to be professional when he began training and playing full time
  • tennis idols are Roger Federer and Carlos Moya; feels his game most closely resembles Federer
  • dream tennis scenario would be facing Roger Federer on Wimbledon’s Centre Court
  • loves the Australian Open for its great atmosphere
  • names Stefan Kozlov as the toughest opponent he’s ever faced
  • wishes he could replay the final of the junior French Open doubles event of 2014; he and partner Lucas Miedler lost 6-3 6-3 to Benjamin Bonzi and Quentin Halys
  • professional goals are to become world No.1 and to win all four Grand Slam titles

Off court

  • favourite food is Japanese cuisine
  • enjoys playing PS3
  • perfect day would involve playing tennis and sleeping

Year-end ranking history

2023 390
2022 394
2021 330
2020 279
2019 253
2018 334
2017 145
2016 216
2015 616
2014 1419
2013 1799

 

Akira Santillan in the news

Ranking movers: Popyrin, Hijikata and Gadecki all achieve new career-highs
Alexei Popyrin, Rinky Hijikata and Olivia Gadecki are all at new career-high rankings.
23 October, 2023

Rising Aussies Alexei Popyrin, Rinky Hijikata and Olivia Gadecki are all at new career-high rankings this week.
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Aussie weekly wrap: Duckworth sets Australian record on ATP Challenger Tour
James Duckworth celebrates his title win in Shenzhen
22 October, 2023

By winning his first title in two years, James Duckworth sets a new Australian record on the ATP Challenger Tour.
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Aussie weekly wrap: Fifteen Australian players contest finals
Andrew Harris, Arina Rodionova, Luke Saville and Destanee Aiava were among the top-performing Australians this week.
7 August, 2023

Andrew Harris, Arina Rodionova, Luke Saville and Destanee Aiava were among the top-performing Australians this week.
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Rising stars Hewitt, Subasic claim ITF junior titles in Darwin
Cruz Hewitt and Alana Subasic were crowned singles champions at an ITF J60 tournament in Darwin this week.
11 June, 2023

Cruz Hewitt and Alana Subasic were crowned singles champions at an ITF J60 tournament in Darwin this week.
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