Tennis Around The World #1 Japan

From Jiro Sato's suicide to Kei Nishikori's success, although Japan has not succeeded in becoming a leading tennis nation and has not won a single major title on the men's circuit, the nation has nevertheless succeeded in creating a pool of talented players, often much appreciated by the public for their humility.

Spotlight on a nation long considered, in the eyes of the world, to be the leading light of Asian tennis.

Considered the pioneer of Japanese tennis, Jiro Sato committed suicide at the age of 26, credit : Eurosport.

Isolated from the rest of the globe, the Land of the Rising Sun long thrived on its own. Domestic tournaments, with their respectable prize money, didn’t particularly motivate young players to venture out and conquer the global stage.

Then came a turning point—when renowned Australian coach Bob Brett encouraged a young Shuzo Matsuoka to test his mettle on the ATP Tour. That moment marked a clear shift. Japan had officially arrived on the global tennis map.

Numbers Don’t Lie

Since the creation of the ATP Tour, four of the six Grand Slam titles won by Asian players have gone to the Japanese. Of the seven Asian players—men and women combined—who have reached the top 10 in the world rankings, four hail from Japan. The nation is, without a doubt, Asia’s most consistent and visible representative in the sport.

Naomi Osaka Becoming the first Japanese player to ever win a GrandSlam Title at the Us Open, credit : Kyodo News.

The Heroes

Many “samurais” of the court have left their mark on fans and rivals alike, but if we had to single out two, the spotlight would inevitably shine on Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori.

One became a global icon of women’s tennis while the other gained the reputation a fearless challenger capable of upsetting the very best. Together, Osaka and Nishikori helped elevate the profile of tennis in Japan to unprecedented heights.

The new sensation of Japanese tennis, Aoi Ito is a very special player. Image Credit : Akira Ando.

The Future

They may not reach the same lofty heights as their predecessors, but the names Mochizuki, Watanuki, and Ito carry a sense of promise.

Already well known on the junior radar, Shintaro Mochizuki boasts a rare, almost innate tennis IQ, though still untapped at the highest level. Then there’s Yosuke Watanuki, the surprise package of the American hardcourt swing in March—winning fans over with the purity of an aggressive, almost vintage game style.

Among the newcomers, however, it's the young Aoi Ito who might just steal the show. In the mold of Fabrice Santoro or Hsieh Su-wei, this new gem of Japanese tennis wields angles and quirky spins like no one else.

Kimiko Date Stunning comeback at Wimbledon, credit : Ouest France

The Wildest Stories

Ever heard of Kimiko Date’s incredible comeback? After suddenly retiring in 1996 at just 25 years old, Japan’s top female player made an unlikely return to the pro circuit over twelve years later.

Spanning generations, her comeback was nothing short of respectable—far from a nostalgia tour. Just ask Serena Williams, who faced Date in one of the most intriguing early-round matches in Wimbledon history, back in 2011. And yes—Serena had to fight for that win.