'Playing with freedom': John-Patrick Smith's late-career renaissance

John Patrick-Smith (left) posing with the US Clay Court Championship trophy with doubles partner Fernando Romboli (right). (Getty/Andrew Wevers)

Australia's John-Patrick Smith is having a resurgence in the later stages of his career.

For most pro tennis players, the day they turn 36 is just another milestone on the downhill slope to retirement. 

But for Australia's John-Patrick (JP) Smith, it marked a career highlight.

That day, he and his partner Kimberly Birrell walked onto Rod Laver Arena for the 2025 Australian Open mixed doubles final. 

The crowd was buzzing in anticipation of the first all-Aussie final since 1967.

It was a proud moment, not just for the sport but for Smith himself: a journeyman, a fighter, and now, a finalist on one of the sport's biggest stages.

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While he and Birrell ultimately fell short against Olivia Gadecki and John Peers, reaching a Grand Slam final at home — and on his birthday, no less — was an incredible achievement. 

It's representative of Smith's 2025 season: a late-career resurgence helped by both a fresh partnership and perspective on the men's doubles circuit. 

Doubles focus paying off

After years grinding it out on the singles tour, where he reached a career-high No.108, Smith is now entirely focused on doubles.

It appears to be paying off with the left-hander hitting some of his best form, and he has the results to show for it. 

This season, he claimed his first ATP doubles title since 2018, partnering Brazilian Fernando Romboli to take out the Houston title.

The win followed a semi-final showing at Indian Wells — a career-best result at a Masters 1000 event. 

While more recently, Smith finally broke through for a doubles win at Roland-Garros en route to the round of 16, where he'd previously gone 0–6.

Chemistry with Romboli 

Key to that success has been Fernando Romboli. The two have known each other since their junior days, and that history has helped create a unique on-court understanding.

"We're the same age, and we've known each other so long — juniors all the way through to now," Smith told The First Serve. 

"I think that really helped, to just kind of build that chemistry, and we just keep having fun, that's a big thing, we have a lot of fun out there as well."

Romboli agrees.

"Sometimes you partner with someone and the results don't come," he said.

"But if this was the situation with JP, we would still be playing together. It's not only about results — it's the way we play together and the vibe we have.

"We are in a similar moment in our career, and it's working [for us]."

Smith summed up the impact this is having on their game. 

"We're just playing with a lot of freedom out there," he said.

After years chasing singles points, living on the edge of the main Tour, the Aussie has found a new groove in doubles — and perhaps, a new level of enjoyment.

Their relaxed but focused approach has paid off, with Smith currently ranked No.59 in the ATP doubles rankings — close to his career high of No.52, and still climbing.

Singles career to be proud of

Before doubles became his bread and butter, Smith chased singles glory. 

He played his last singles match in 2023 after a career that included two Challenger titles, six Grand Slam appearances, and multiple victories over top-100 players.

In 2015, he peaked at world No.108 after reaching the semi-finals of the ATP event in Newport, beating then world No.25 Bernard Tomic en route. 

A few more wins that year, and he would've broken the barrier so many players obsess over: the top-100.

But he never quite got there.

"It was a bit disappointing, but at the end of the day, I get to travel and play the sport," Smith told the Sydney Morning Herald. 

"It took me a while, but it's one of those things I put behind me because no one's going to be like, 'Oh, you only got to 108?' I will remember the days when I played 12 Wimbledons, and qualified for Wimbledon [singles] twice."

This perspective has shaped the way he approaches tennis, and his background may have a lot to do with it. 

A career grounded in his upbringing

Born and raised in Townsville, Smith has always flown a little under the radar. 

But among the tight-knit North Queensland tennis community, he's long been a hero — the region's biggest name in recent years (until Home Hill's Adam Walton recently broke through).

Smith's return to Townsville in 2020 — following the sudden passing of local coach and mentor Wayne Hannah — was a powerful moment. 

Rather than grieve from afar, he flew home and stepped in to help his old club, Tennis Townsville, run clinics and support juniors.

"He was a great friend and a great mentor to a lot of people," Smith said of his childhood coach.

"He wasn't just a coach, he was someone I could always trust and talk to and rely on.

"When I'm back in Townsville, I'm always going to support the club that supported me on the way up."

It's no surprise to those who've followed his journey.

A standout college career at the University of Tennessee — where he became a four-time All-American in both singles and doubles — helped lay the foundation for a long, hard-working career he is still enjoying today. 

Still more to come?

There's clearly a quiet confidence about John-Patrick Smith now. 

His positive attitude and doubles partnership suggest his career isn't slowing down anytime soon. 

With growing momentum heading into the back half of the season, another big result and a career-high ranking look likely. 

No doubt we'll be hearing more from JP Smith on his 37th birthday and beyond. 

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