In a remarkable comeback, 40-year-old Japanese wheelchair tennis legend Shingo Kunieda has won the men’s singles at the first-ever Miami Open Wheelchair Invitational. Kunieda faced off against current world No. 1 Alfie Hewett of Britain in a thrilling best-of-three sets final, ultimately emerging victorious.
Despite announcing his retirement in January of the previous year, Kunieda proved that he still had what it takes to compete at the highest level. His impressive career spanned over two decades and included 28 singles and 22 doubles Grand Slam titles, as well as four Paralympic gold medals.
Kunieda expressed his disbelief at his success after winning the tournament, admitting that he had taken a break of around one-and-a-half years before making his triumphant return to defeat the top-ranked player in the world, Hewett. His last competitive match had ended in defeat to Hewett at the 2022 U.S. Open final, making his victory at the Miami Open even more remarkable.
In addition to competing as a player, Kunieda also served as director of the tournament. His presence and leadership helped make the inaugural Miami Open Wheelchair Invitational a memorable and successful event for all involved. Kunieda’s win is sure to inspire many aspiring wheelchair athletes and serve as a testament to perseverance and determination in sports.