Paris 2024 champions Yui Kamiji and Tokito Oda make triumphant return

Japanese wheelchair tennis stars Yui Kamiji and Tokito Oda captured the women’s and men’s singles titles, respectively, at Roland Garros, less than a year after winning their first Paralympic gold medals on the same iconic clay courts during the Paris 2024 Games.

Kamiji defeated Dutch seven-time Paralympic medallist Aniek van Koot 6-2, 6-2 in the women’s singles final on Saturday, 7 June. Playing on Court Suzanne-Lenglen, Kamiji said she felt at home after last year’s success and was able to control the match with her exceptional court craft.

The Japanese star joined Diede De Groot as the only active wheelchair tennis players to have won five French Open women’s singles titles. Only Dutch legend and seven-time Paralympic champion Esther Vergeer has more, with six titles from 2007 to 2012.

“I didn’t know that, actually. But clay court is my favourite court,” said Kamiji, who won two gold medals at Paris 2024. “I have good memories here, so I really love to come back to Paris every year. Today I got another title here, so it is unforgettable.”

This year’s tournament also made history by featuring ballkids in wheelchairs for the first time. Marceau le Tallec and Cleo Ginterdaele made their court debuts during some of the event’s most thrilling matches.

 

 

 

 

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A triumphant return

Playing at the second Grand Slam of the year, Kamiji was looking forward to reuniting with her doubles partner Kgothatso Montjane later on Saturday to celebrate their women’s doubles victory from the previous day.

After claiming her 10th Grand Slam singles title, Kamiji revealed she had been uncertain about competing in Paris due to a wrist issue.

“I played in the World Team Cup last month and I knew that my wrist wasn’t in a good position for me, but I had to play for the Japan team,” Kamiji said. “I knew it might not have been injured but that I might have some problem, a little problem, but it was bigger than I thought.”

“I didn’t want to use my energy a lot, so the points (needed) to be short and have to be smart and take first chance. It was really simple and it really worked.”

Kamiji said she plans to visit the hospital in Japan where she received treatment to show her appreciation.

“As soon as possible, I want to go to the hospital to show them my trophy, and I would like to say thank you to them.”

Dominating the French clay 🧱

Tokito Oda & Yui Kamiji have won the Roland Garros wheelchair singles trophies in the same stadium where 10 months ago they were crowned Paralympic Gold Medallists pic.twitter.com/oEL0xH1SZY

— ITF (@ITFTennis) June 9, 2025

Third consecutive title

In the men’s singles, Paris 2024 Paralympic champion Tokito Oda secured his third straight Roland Garros title, putting him just one short of Shingo Kunieda’s record from 2007-2010.

Oda triumphed in a hard-fought final against Alfie Hewett, winning 6-4, 7-6(6) in 1 hour and 39 minutes. The 19-year-old Oda celebrated with flair, drawing cheers from the crowd as he bowed theatrically and played his racquet like a guitar.

Paris holds special meaning for Oda, who was named after the Arc de Triomphe, the iconic monument in the heart of the city. He became the youngest Grand Slam wheelchair singles champion two years ago at Roland Garros and also become the youngest wheelchair tennis singles champion last year.

Hewett and Gordon Reid claimed the men’s doubles title by defeating Oda and France’s Stephane Houdet in three sets.

Consistency is key 🔑

Can Tokito Oda keep the #RolandGarros winning streak up? 🔥#WheelchairTennis pic.twitter.com/O6DkAqVH0l

— ITF (@ITFTennis) June 8, 2025

A special trophy

Guy Sasson celebrated with family and friends in Paris on Saturday night after successfully defending his quad singles title against top seed Niels Vink.

The 45-year-old Sasson noted that beating Vink and fellow Dutch player Sam Schroder is always a challenge—one he has now accomplished for the second consecutive year at Roland Garros, though in reverse order this time.

Sasson said he had fallen ill with a virus before the tournament and was not at his best physically. 

“I was feeling a bit weak but … once you get the opportunity to be here in this facility, in this huge Grand Slam, I don't want to say once in a lifetime, because I want to be here next year - but it's such a big event and it means so much to me, to my family, and the whole wheelchair tennis.

“You've got to be here, and you've got to perform. Even though I felt not my best, I knew that at the end of the day I have to fight and to win it, and I'm glad that I was able to do it.”

Guy Sasson claims his second trophy of the tournament! 🏆🏆

He takes down his Quad Doubles championship partner Niels Vink 6-4 7-5 👏#WheelchairTennis pic.twitter.com/WfOgCtvwnp

— ITF (@ITFTennis) June 7, 2025

Sasson also won the quad doubles title with Vink, beating Ahmet Kaplan and Donald Ramphadi. 

So where does Sasson plan to keep his two special trophies?

“I have an office room in my house and there is like a special stand where I keep … just the most important trophies,” he said.

“The problem is that, you know, my kids, they're young. They come into the office. They touch everything. But they know that this one, they cannot touch it.”