Multi-talented James McCabe thriving at Australian Open

A ridiculously talented Australian wildcard says his exhausting childhood was “quite tough”, but he’s revelling in the Aus Open spotlight.

Between swim meets, orchestra rehearsals, and forging a lifelong friendship with Sonny Bill Williams, James McCabe somehow found time for tennis.

After claiming a maiden grand slam victory on Monday, the Aussie wildcard revealed an eye-watering typical school day schedule as he was pulled in multiple directions by competing talents.

But those who watched the ebbs and flows of his junior tennis career as he juggled swimming and music were not surprised as he swept past Spanish teenager Martin Landaluce in straight sets for his first ATP tour victory.

And they would also not raise an eyebrow if the 21-year-old were to dispatch giant-killing American Alex Michelsen on Wednesday in a rematch of their first-round clash last year.

James McCabe celebrates after his first ever ATP tour win against Spanish teenager Martin Landaluce in the first round of the Australian Open on Monday. Picture: Mark Stewart

Jeremy Dykgraaff, McCabe’s tennis coach at Sydney’s Trinity Grammar School, said it was evident the Philippine-born rising star had a big future in the sport, even as he came and went from playing competitive tennis amid his other interests.

“When he came into the school, his main focus was the swimming … after a while, he picked up the racquets again and started playing weekend matches,” Dykgraaff said.

“I think that’s when he got his passion back and realised that tennis was the one for him, more than swimming or any other sport at that time.

“He was very dedicated, very motivated, and the good thing about it was as he matured, he also gave a lot back to his team and to other players at the school … his work ethic was pretty strong, whether it was swimming or music or tennis, he gave everything a good shake.”

McCabe said his school life, which involved regular 4am wake-ups for swimming training and as many as three music classes per day, had been “pretty tough” but had not caused his passion to wane.

“I got through it, and I think it definitely builds character and builds strength,” he said after his 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 win over Landaluce.

“When I was 10 (after he was chosen as a junior star to toss the coin at a 2013 Aus Open semi-final), I dropped the racquets to do swimming and music … then at 15, I picked it up again and played casually.”

By December 2019, McCabe had taken out the under-16 national titles in both the singles and doubles, but at his father’s urging remained in school to finish his education.

A nine-year-old McCabe was picked to toss the coin for 2013 Australian Open semi-finalists David Ferrer (left) and Novak Djokovic. Picture: Dennis Sabangan / AAP

“Then 2020, (by) the end of Covid I had got really chubby because I wasn’t playing much. As soon as I finished school, I started travelling and started playing tennis. I didn’t play much juniors because I was doing all the music and stuff like that,” he said.

“There’s a bit of inexperience, but I think now I’m a bit better at handling a lot of things and going through certain situations.”

Dykgraaff said McCabe had been “adamant” he would make it onto the senior tour once he picked up tennis again, and had the attributes to match it with the world’s best as he continued to develop his biggest weapons.

McCabe’s former school coach Jeremy Dykgraaff says he has the self-belief to conquer American rising star Alex Michelsen in the second round on Wednesday. Picture: Mark Stewart

“I think if he can just keep that self-belief and go out there and execute his game plan, play high-percentage tennis, and hopefully serve as well as he did (on Monday), then he should be able to have a shot at that match tomorrow,” Dykgraaff said.

“It was very exciting to see him do so well and be so composed and mature. He was very professional (against Landaluce), which was really, really good.”

McCabe expected nerves to set in before his rematch with Michelsen, who beat him in four sets on his grand slam debut last year.

“Alex is an amazing player, he’s 30, 40-something in the world, and he’s just beaten (Stefanos) Tsitsipas, so it’s going to be a battle, (but) I’m looking forward to it and it’s going to be fun,” he said.

Originally published as Multi-talented James McCabe thriving at Australian Open