Former Wheelchair Tennis Hero Still Aims for the Stars

―Where are you currently based and how are you spending your 2025 winter season?

Early last year I decided to move to Florida for a new chapter of my life. I live in Orlando within the United States Tennis Association (USTA) training facility as a wheelchair tennis advisor, mainly taking care of young prospects. 
Until mid-December I was in short sleeves, but it cooled down here since early January. However, I do understand why there are so many pro tennis players and academies down here, the weather is absolutely great all year. 

―What was behind your decision to work in the USA?

I first wanted to improve my English; it will be an indispensable skill if I want to lead a second career and foster changes in my sport. I chose the United States, because I felt as a player that the US Open was the Grand Slam tournament where our sport was less developed. Wheelchair tennis still does not get much of an audience (nor fans or media coverage) here. The USA is a tennis powerhouse, but it does not have strong men or women wheelchair players recently. The fastest way to popularize a sport is to strengthen your country's players. Since Europe and Japan already have prominent wheelchair tennis players these days, nurturing strong American players will vitalize the whole sport. I mainly coach junior players here every day. Fortunately, my tennis level hasn't declined much yet, so I should serve as a good benchmark for them to gauge their distance from the world level. I hope to give them advice that will guide them to the top group.

―Among the things they will want to learn, is the capacity to beat pressure. How did you do it?

I honestly think you fight the pressure by focusing on small details. Every day you try to become a better player, you keep pushing hard with the same passion, and this quest for perfection keeps you in the moment. Pressure comes when you lose this perspective. You either think too much about the past or the future. I believe you really have to enjoy the process. I give you a concrete example: while entering my thirties and until I retired at 39, I really focused on improving my shots almost in the same way a beginner does. I tried to master new techniques. You cannot prevent the physical abilities to slow down, but you can definitely become a better player tactically and technically. Work hard, stay in the moment. 

―You just published a biography in Japanese that could be translated "my moments of doubts." That could give a few hints to the young generation.

I naturally went through many ups and downs during my long tennis career. The setback caused by my injury was a particularly heavy blow and so serious I even considered retiring. Being in that situation pushed me to keep experimenting, which led me to gain an even deeper understanding of the sport. Tennis is also played alone, so it's sometimes hard to see what people are doing behind the scenes. By writing this book, I wanted to place a spotlight on those who came before me and everyone who supported me.

―Looking back at your great career, what was your happiest time?

The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is the best memory of my career. It is also why I kept pushing myself in my thirties. Without Tokyo 2020 I would probably have retired in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. 
I can say I had the Tokyo 2020 in sight for 7 years since it was decided the city would hold the Games in 2013. This big objective gave me strength to fight in the Grand Slams in the final years too, although those were tough and long years. It was my dream. 

―In which way did you feel the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games were special?

I have fought five Paralympics, but Tokyo made the biggest change by reaching fans and media around the world. Usually people just say to me: "Congrats for the gold medal!" but this time they were stopping me by saying "Oh, I loved this play at this moment of the match," they definitely watched it. For me this is the biggest achievement. My match was broadcasted during the prime time in Japan, I reached so many people and could promote wheelchair tennis to a broader national and global audience.

―You took the decision to retire just after Wimbledon 2022, with no regrets?

After the Tokyo 2020, I managed to win Wimbledon but I had a burnout. There was no clear objective anymore, I had achieved all I had dreamed of. I have lived the best tennis life but I can say the flame was gone. And maybe also because I had chronic lower back injuries, I did not want the sport I love to become a liability for the rest of my life.

―Did you see your sport progress through the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games?

Paris Paralympics wheelchair tennis was almost sold out!  The first 5 days in Roland Garros were great and I think Tokyo would have done the same if not for the COVID-19 pandemic. Paris atmosphere was fabulous. The fans were behind the athletes, they were here to enjoy the same way as the Olympics. I think Paris set a new standard where Paralympics were watched by everyone. Actually, French wheelchair tennis national team was led by tennis legend Yannick Noah. He brought some attention to our sport and it shows our sport is developing fast. I wish one day our own Nishikori Kei would become Japan wheelchair tennis national coach.

―And what to expect in the LA 2028 Paralympic Games?

There are still lots of issues to tackle. I think accessibility in Paris  was still a problem. I think it will be much better in LA since the USA is one of the world's most accessible countries. We should not forget that Paralympics are also here to push changes in society as a whole, to change people's perception of impairments. By the way as a sport event, I think Paralympics should not be held two weeks after the end of the Olympics, since the fever tends to die down. It should be held either just after the Olympics, or even become part of the same event.

―Do you have any last thoughts about the future of your sport?

I've always thought, from back when I was playing competitively, that the key to getting more people involved and developing this sport is for the athletes to improve their skills. That is what they need to focus on. I believe we can get more fans to enjoy wheelchair tennis if we strive to improve our skills and deliver performances that exceed the expectations of the audience. 

Kunieda Shingo

Kunieda Shingo was born in 1984 in Chiba, Japan. The king and pioneer of wheelchair tennis. He has the record being the first men's wheelchair tennis player to complete a Career Golden Slam. He is earned 4 gold medals at the Paralympics, 28 Grand Slam singles titles, and 22 doubles titles.