WHEELCHAIR TENNIS PARALYMPICS(ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW)

 

Australian Open Wheelchair Tennis Finals Recap

Men’s Singles Final:

Japanese teenage sensation Tokito Oda claimed his first Australian Open title with a decisive 6-2, 6-4 victory over defending champion Alfie Hewett from Great Britain. Oda, who was the runner-up to Hewett at the 2023 Australian Open, overcame the three-time Paralympic medalist in straight sets. The 17-year-old, who also won Wimbledon and Roland Garros last year, attributed his success to improved aggressive play and focus. He drew inspiration from fellow countryman Rei Sakamoto, who won the junior singles title shortly before Oda’s final.

Women’s Singles Final:

Dutch star Diede de Groot continued her impressive streak by securing her 21st Grand Slam singles title with a 7-5, 6-4 win over Japan’s Yui Kamiji. Despite battling a recent injury and illness, de Groot showed resilience throughout the match, which lasted 1 hour and 36 minutes. She acknowledged her struggles with serving but remains motivated by the growing support for wheelchair tennis and her own records.

Quad Singles Final:

Sam Schroder from the Netherlands completed a hat-trick of Australian Open titles with a 6-3, 6-3 win against Israel’s Guy Sasson. Schroder, who celebrated his victory with a planned post-match feast, noted the benefits of his new ice bath routine, which has significantly improved his performance. Sasson, despite the loss, paid tribute to his wife and praised Schroder’s superior play.

Men’s Doubles Final:

In the men’s doubles, Britain’s Alfie Hewett and Gordon Reid triumphed with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Japan’s Takuya Miki and Tokito Oda. Hewett praised the high quality of the match and the enthusiastic crowd that supported them throughout.

Quad Doubles Final:

David Wagner of the United States and Britain’s Andy Lapthorne emerged victorious in the quad doubles final, overcoming Donald Ramphadi and Guy Sasson with a 6-4, 3-6 (10-2) win in a long tie-break after the match was tied at one set apiece.

Women’s Doubles Final:

In the women’s doubles, the second-seeded pair of Diede de Groot and Jiske Griffioen defeated the top seeds Yui Kamiji and Kgothatso Montjane with a score of 6-3, 7-6(2).

De Groot has already qualified for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which will open on 28 August. @Julian Finney/ Getty Images