Retired Japanese wheelchair tennis legend Shingo Kunieda emerged victorious in the men’s singles final at the first-ever Miami Open Wheelchair Invitational. Kunieda defeated the current world No. 1 Alfie Hewett of Britain in a best-of-three sets match to claim the title.
At 40 years old, Kunieda boasts an impressive career with 28 singles titles and 22 doubles Grand Slam titles, in addition to four Paralympic gold medals. Despite announcing his retirement in January of last year, Kunieda made a successful comeback to the sport with this win at the Miami Open.
Reflecting on his surprising victory, Kunieda expressed his disbelief at defeating the world No. 1 player after taking a year and a half break from the sport. His last competitive match was a loss to Hewett at the 2022 U.S. Open final.
Not only did Kunieda participate as a player in the tournament, but he also served as its director, showcasing his continued dedication to the sport of wheelchair tennis. His win at the Miami Open is a testament to his skill, experience, and unwavering passion for the game.