Australian tennis pro James Duckworth has had several unique experiences during his tennis career, but one of the more memorable incidents occurs whenever he interacts with Roger Federer.
Duckworth is known as "Ducks" to friends and family, prompting fans to make quacking noises whenever he plays at home. During a first round match against Federer at the 2014 Australian Open, fans at Rod Laver Arena would make regular quacking noises.
This must have left an impression of the 20-time Grand Slam champion, who would go on to make quacking noises anytime he ran into Duckworth.
"Every time I see Federer or I walk past him, he starts quacking, or he calls me ‘Quack’ as well, so it’s pretty funny,’’ Duckworth told NOTE.
“I just say, ‘Hey Rog’. I don’t really have a sound or something for him. It’s just Rog.’’
Duckworth made his maiden ATP final in 2021 and broke into the top-50 for the first time in his career. In his last tournament of the season, Duckworth made his maiden Masters quarterfinal in Paris, losing to Hubert Hurkacz.