With partner James Greenhalgh, he won two boys' doubles titles, the French Open and Wimbledon Championships.

[2] Following his junior success in 1993, Downs turned professional and in 1994 made his first ATP Tour tournament in Auckland.

[6] In 1996, he played two more singles matches, in a tie against South Korea in Seoul, for losses to Lee Hyung-taik and Yoon Yong-il, but New Zealand still prevailed.

[7] His last ATP Tour appearance in singles came at the 1996 Infiniti Open in Los Angeles, where he lost in the first round to Stefan Edberg.

[2] A combination of factors, including an elbow injury, brought about an early retirement from professional tennis after the 1997 season.