Japan: From Nishikori to Kamiji, we like your style!
Japan
October 12, 2017
An enthusiastic welcome awaits Japan’s players and fans at Wimbledon – warmer perhaps than ever before!
Japan is now such an integral part of the tennis family, so important to the future of the sport, and the country’s brightest young stars look capable of doing great things.
When those passionate Japanese sports fans join the party too, they always add something special to the atmosphere, as we saw at the London 2012 Olympics!
The increasing popularity of tennis depends on new heroes. Japan has given the world a wonderful gift in Kei Nishikori, a player we can all adore.
Already a superstar in the Far East, Nishikori has charmed the western world with his star quality too. A potential successor to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as the best-loved player in the game? Nishikori has the personal qualities required to follow in the footsteps of legends.
Kei hasn’t enjoyed the best of luck with injuries at Wimbledon, it has to be said. But we believe it is only a matter of time before Nishikori achieves something truly memorable at the home of tennis, too.
Yet he isn’t the only Japanese player causing a stir. In July 2016, Naomi Osaka reached a new highest ranking of 86 – and there is no reason why her climb should not continue and then turn into an exciting run at Wimbledon next year.
The Japanese player who earned the most attention for her achievement at Wimbledon 2016, however, was the great Yui Kamiji, who completed a hat-trick of successive wheelchair doubles titles.
She teamed up with Britain’s Jordanne Whiley for a third successive wheelchair doubles title. There can’t be too many better examples of successful sporting partnerships between Britain and Japan! Will anyone be able to stop them next year? We expect more stunning victories for Kamiji.
Indeed, there has never been a better time for the Japanese to come and enjoy the greatest tennis Championships of them all at the historic All England Club.
Not since the days of the magnificent Ichiya Kumagae, Japan’s first Olympic medal winner and Davis Cup finalist almost a century ago, has there been such excitement around Japanese tennis.
This is one party you definitely don’t want to miss. So come to Wimbledon and seize the moment!