On court

• began playing tennis at the age of four with his father, Hans, who is a geoscientist; mother, Cheryl, is a dispute resolution manager at Bond University
• enjoys the competitive nature of the sport and its mental and physical challenges
• hero is Pat Rafter because of the way he competed and the respect that he has earned on and off the court
• attended the University of Tennessee and is an exponent of the US college system
• achieved NCAA All American status in 2007 and 2008 for singles and doubles and his favourite event is the NCAA Tournament, likening the atmosphere to that of the Davis Cup and Grand Slams
• most memorable moment was playing No.1 for his university against defending champions, the Georgia Bulldogs, in the last home match of his college career and winning the decider to break Georgia’s 48-match winning streak
• biggest influence is former American world No.29 Chris Woodruff who is now associate head coach for men’s tennis at the University of Tennessee

Off court

• enjoys playing golf, table tennis and cricket.

Year-end singles ranking history