Tokito Oda becomes youngest Grand Slam wheelchair champion
The 17-year-old is also guaranteed to become the youngest ever world number one in the discipline.
Published : Jun 10, 2023 19:06 IST , Paris - 1 MIN READ
Japan’s Tokito Oda during the Men’s Wheelchair Singles Final of the 2023 French Open. | Photo Credit: Getty Images
Japan’s Tokito Oda defeated top-ranked Alfie Hewett of Britain 6-1, 6-4 in the French Open wheelchair final to become the sport’s youngest Grand Slam champion on Saturday.
The 17-year-old is also guaranteed to become the youngest ever world number one in the discipline.
“I was really happy to get the two dreams on the one day -- for the youngest player to be No. 1 in world and to win a Grand Slam title; so two dreams come true today. It’s happiest day of my life,” said Oda.
His win on Saturday avenged his defeat to seven-time major winner Hewett at the Australian Open in January.
“It was first time for me on the Philippe Chatrier court. There were so many people in the crowd. Somebody say, ‘Come on, Tokito,’ and somebody say, ‘Allez, Tokito.’ I was really happy to hear that word.”
The new world rankings will be released on Monday.