Shingo Kunieda, Wheelchair Tennis Ace Retires At 38

The most accomplished wheelchair tennis player in history, Shingo Kunieda, announced his retirement from the game on Sunday at the age of 38 years.

When Kunieda won Wimbledon in 2022, he had already achieved the career Grand Slam of all four majors and had won 28 Grand Slam singles titles.

He shared the news via social media

“I have been thinking about retirement since my dream came true at Tokyo Paralympics,” the Japanese player said on social media. “Last year’s Wimbledon singles title for the first time made me feel that my energy was little left to compete.”

“By capturing the 10th time (as ITF) World Champion, I felt that I had done enough in what I wanted to accomplish and thought it was the right time to retire.”

Along with eleven Australian Opens, Kunieda won eight times at Roland-Garros, eight times at the U.S. Open, and one Wimbledon championship.

Additionally, he won three gold medals in singles at the Paralympics in 2008, 2012, and Tokyo in 2021, in addition to 22 Grand Slam doubles wins. In 2004, he won gold in doubles.

Kunieda gets tribute from famous personalities

Billie Jean King said on Twitter:

“Cheers to @shingokunieda, who today announced his retirement from tennis following a 20-year career. He is the first men’s wheelchair tennis player to complete a career Grand Slam, and his 2022 Singles win at Wimbledon was his 50th major title. The journey continues!”.

Craig Tiley, Australian Open tournament director also paid tribute in the hours following Kunieda’s announcement.
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