Paris 2024 witnessed an extraordinary display of wheelchair tennis prowess as Tokito Oda, Yui Kamiji, and Niels Vink emerged as champions. These players not only secured victory at the Wheelchair Singles Masters on 17 November but also achieved the remarkable feat of becoming Paralympic champions in the same season. Unparalleled Wheelchair Tennis Success in Paris 2024
Men's Singles: Tokito Oda's Comeback
Tokito Oda etched his name in history by becoming the second player to claim both the Paralympic men's singles gold medal and the Singles Masters in the same year. In a gripping encounter against Gordon Reid, Oda faced initial challenges. "It was truly tough in the first set as I had some pain in my lower back, preventing me from playing my best game. However, from the second set onwards, I found my rhythm and played exceptionally well," shared Oda. His determination led him to victory, securing the title and setting himself on course to become the world number one at the end of the year. This remarkable achievement has not only brought him personal glory but has also marked a significant milestone in his career.After becoming the youngest Paralympic men's singles champion two months ago in Paris, Oda's life has undergone a transformation. "Since Paris, many things have changed around me. I've experienced a lot of wonderful things. It was a huge event in Japan. Now, I will take some rest as I also participated in the Japan Open after the Paralympics," he added.Women's Singles: Yui Kamiji's Resilience
Yui Kamiji, a two-time Paralympic gold medallist, showcased her resilience in the women's singles tournament. Facing a tough challenge against home favourite and 2014 champion Aniek van Koot, Kamiji fought back from an exemplary first set. In the final, she emerged victorious with a score of 0-6, 6-4, 6-4. Kamiji won the last five games of the second set and came from a break down when trailing 4-2 in the final set to complete a memorable victory against the Dutch star. This win marked her first Wheelchair Singles Masters title since 2013. On her social media, she wrote in Japanese, "My second Singles Masters title. This new trophy felt very heavy after playing for three sets, but I was able to end my final international tournament this year with a win. There were matches where I could improve on the aspects I was working on after Paris."Quad Singles: Niels Vink's Dominance
The all-Dutch quad singles final was a high-quality contest that thrilled the home crowd. Niels Vink and Sam Schroder engaged in a fierce battle for the fourth straight year, with Vink emerging victorious. It was also a rematch of the Paris 2024 quad singles final, which Vink had won previously. In Arnhem, Vink secured a three-set victory and his third Singles Masters title, having won in 2023 and 2021. After the long fight, he wrote on Instagram, "Finished the year in a good way where I beat Sam Schroder 4-6 6-3 6-4 in the final. Now that the season is over, it's time for vacation. Thanks everyone for supporting me in this challenging year."These wheelchair tennis champions have left an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring future generations and demonstrating the power of determination and perseverance. Their achievements serve as a testament to the incredible talent and spirit within the wheelchair tennis community.
