Twenty-year-old has already claimed eight wheelchair tennis Grand Slam singles titles
Back at his family home in Nagoya, Japan, world No.1 men’s wheelchair tennis superstar Tokito Oda has just ordered a new trophy cabinet for the living room.
The 20-year-old’s Roland-Garros silverware from a 2023-25 singles three-peat shine in the current cabinet and he needs a new one - with good reason.
He currently holds all four Grand Slam trophies as part of his haul of eight major singles titles, yet Oda’s ambition is still burning bright.
“This year I’m definitely looking to win all four Grand Slams in the same year.”
That’s quite the goal but not unreasonable from the top seed. Winning the Australian Open in January completed the first step of that quest.
At Roland-Garros 2026, Oda is seeking to emulate the “best player ever,” fellow Japanese icon Shingo Kunieda, who won the first four editions of the Roland-Garros wheelchair event from 2007-2010.
The pursuit of four in a row began on Tuesday with a comprehensive 6-2, 6-4 win over Great Britain’s Gordon Reid.
Oda, active on a separate fashion-themed Instagram account, believes it is essential to have a full and varied life away from record chasing.
“I have a lot of hobbies. I like music and cars. Actually, I got a Porsche when I was 17, but couldn’t drive it yet, so I gave it to my parents,” admitted the 20-year-old with a chuckle.
“Then I finally got my licence at the end of last year and now I really like driving my car. I like all cars, old, new, I’d love to try Formula 1 one day. Outside of the court, life is fun!
“Inside of the court I feel like that is my place and I always show my style, outside the court, say it’s my fashion, I also feel like I’m being myself.”
From an Australian Open 2025 final defeat against world No.2 Alfie Hewett, Oda then compiled a staggering 42-match winning streak. That run came to an end, by Hewett, in March in the Miami final. Once again, last month Hewett took the top prize in Oda’s homeland with a three-set comeback in their Lizuka final.
Oda was frustrated to see his winning tally dissolved in Miami, but has used his time away from constant match play well.
“I was nearly at 50 wins in a row, I thought I was just going to build more history, when that stopped, I needed time to look at my tennis, thinking more about how to get better. I had a reset,” the world No.1 said.
“When you keep winning you don’t have time to look at your game, to change things, to look at your playing style. That time was an opportunity to get better.”
Oda bounced back, gaining revenge over Hewett 6-2, 6-1 in the Barcelona final just prior to arriving in Paris.
“It’s been over three years since I last lost here (RG 2022) to my favourite ever player Kunieda. I have a lot of special memories here and I want to make many more this year,” he said.
Oda's compatriot and also reigning champion in the women's wheelchair singles Yui Kamiji launched her title defence with a 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Jiske Griffioen.
The 23-time singles Grand Slam champion Diede de Groot is seeking a first major since 2024 and began her campaign with a 6-0, 5-7, 6-1 win facing fellow Dutchwoman Lizzy de Greef.
In the men's draw No.3 seed Martin de la Puente dominated 6-2, 6-3 against Stephane Houdet.
Argentina's Gustavo Fernandez, the Roland-Garros champion in 2016 and 2019, moved through 6-3, 6-2 past Spain's Daniel Caverzaschi.
ROLAND-GARROS
18 May - 7 June 2026
