The world’s No 1 men’s wheelchair tennis player, Shingo Kunieda from Japan, enjoyed a second successive unbeaten year in 2009, ending the season as World Champion for the third year in a row. He finished the year more than 1700 points clear of his nearest pursuer in the rankings and at the end of the year was unbeaten in 77 matches dating back to 2007.
In 2009, he won 37 matches – losing just three sets - and eight singles titles, including all three Grand Slam events – the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open. He was also the winner of the singles in all three Super Series tournaments – Japan Open, British Open and US Open.
Shingo, who suffers with a lower back injury after spinal surgery, also won five doubles titles in 2009 and helped Japan to third place in the Invacare World Team Cup in Nottingham, UK, winning his three singles matches for the loss of just five games.
Shingo’s dazzling record of success includes a career total of 11 Grand Slam titles, plus victory in the Beijing Paralympic Games, the final of which was watched live by millions in Japan.
