Paralympic stars return to spotlight at Wheelchair Tennis Masters in Arnhem

Paralympic stars took the spotlight at the year-end 2024 Wheelchair Singles Masters and Wheelchair Doubles Masters, which opened on 11 November at the Sportpark Molenbeke in Arnhem.

Top players from the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, including medallists Tokito Oda, Alfie Hewett, Yui Kamiji, Niels Vink and Sam Schroder, are competing for the singles title.

The NEC Wheelchair Singles Masters is the International Tennis Federation's year-ending championship featuring the world’s top eight men’s, women’s, and quad singles players. The UNIQLO Wheelchair Doubles Masters also showcases eight top men’s doubles pairs, six women’s doubles pairs, and four quad doubles pairs.

Japan’s Yui Kamiji aims for another major title after winning the women’s singles and doubles gold medals at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. Kamiji faces tough competition from local heroes and Paralympic medallists.

All the emotions 🥹 🇯🇵

Yui Kamiji is Japan's first Wheelchair tennis player to win gold medals in both singles and doubles 🥇🥇 #Paralympics | #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/Ei6UWM9i6Q

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) September 6, 2024

In the men’s tournament, top seed Oda and second seed Hewett have won the last three singles titles between them. Oda, who beat Hewett in the men’s singles final at Paris 2024, is seeking his first Masters title since 2022.

Truly inspiring 🌟

Japan’s Tokito Oda tells us why he got into Wheelchair tennis 🎾🇯🇵#Paralympics #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/m2y0bokcen

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) September 3, 2024

As with Oda and Hewett in the men’s singles, Sam Schroder and Niels Vink have won the last three Wheelchair Singles Masters men’s titles between them.

Schroder, the champion in 2022, when the Masters was last held in the Netherlands, is the top seed for the quad singles at this tournament. Two-time champion Vink will begin his quest for a third title as the third seed after Guy Sasson moved up to a career-best world No. 2 in this week’s rankings.

Paris 2024 Paralympic gold medallists opened their campaign in style.  Kamiji beat Zhenzhen Zhu of China in straight sets, 6-0, 6-0. Oda, who won two Grand Slams this year, defeated France’s Stephane Houdet 6-2, 6-4 in the first round.

Vink claimed a 6-0, 6-0 win over South Africa's Donald Ramphadi in 51 minutes.

The Masters tournaments will conclude on 17 November. Visit the International Tennis Federation website for more information.