Rinky Hijikata vs David Goffin

Wimbledon 2025 – 1st Round Preview
Rinky Hijikata vs David Goffin

🧠 Form & Context

David Goffin

• 🧳 Fresh comeback: Returns to tour action after retiring mid-match in Madrid (April). Played exhibitions at Boodles, losing to Shevchenko and Rublev.
• 🌱 Grass credentials: Two-time Wimbledon quarterfinalist (2019, 2022), owns a 45–33 career record on grass—natural mover on the surface.
• ⚠️ Match fitness in question: This will be his first official match in over two months, so physical sharpness may lag despite tactical readiness.

Rinky Hijikata

• 📉 Confidence crisis: Poor 2025 stretch includes losses to Tomic and Dan Evans in June. Season record stands at 15–21 with limited success at ATP level.
• 🟦 Wimbledon woes: Failed to qualify in 2022 and 2023; lost in R1 in 2024. His grinding style doesn’t translate well to fast, slick grass courts.
• 🔄 Head-to-head: Goffin leads 2–1, including a dominant 6-2, 6-3 win in Acapulco earlier this season.

🔍 Match Breakdown

This is a test of Goffin’s body versus Hijikata’s belief. Goffin’s ability to absorb pace and redirect with precision has served him well at Wimbledon in the past, and even without recent match play, his natural grass instincts give him an edge.

Hijikata has shown patches of improved forehand aggression but still lacks the serve and movement balance required to excel on grass. His backhand sits up too much, and he has yet to prove he can consistently close against top-tier opponents—even faded ones.

If Goffin finds rhythm early and holds serve with ease, this could look one-sided. But if rust sets in and Hijikata stretches the rallies, we could see momentum swings. Still, it’s Goffin’s match tactically, and likely physically, unless he fades hard.

🔮 Prediction

Hijikata needs long rallies and scoreboard pressure, but Goffin's experience and control should carry the day. Expect the Belgian to feel his way through early, then pull away using his return game and slice depth.

Prediction: David Goffin in 4 sets. Hijikata might sneak a set with hustle, but the gap in grass acumen should be decisive.