Despite her undoubted talent and tenacity, Yui Kamiji has suffered at the hands of Diede de Groot on numerous occasions – as most players have. But this day – today of all days – was Kamiji’s time to shine and she most certainly did.

Following a stunning 4-6 6-3 6-4 comeback victory over De Groot on Court Philippe Chatrier, Kamiji is the Paris 2024 Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis women’s singles champion and the emotion on her face at the moment of victory spoke volumes.

And what a few days it has been. On Thursday, Kamiji and Manami Tanaka shocked De Groot and Aniek van Koot to top the women’s doubles podium and become the first Japanese women to win Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis gold.

It was also the first time in 32 years, since wheelchair tennis became a full-medal sport at the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, that a non-Dutch team failed to claim gold in women’s doubles.

As satisfying as that would have been, Kamiji took that achievement and multiplied it infinitesimally. The 30-year-old is the first Japanese player to win a Paralympic singles and doubles gold medal at the same Games.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ITF Tennis (@itftennis)

She is also the second Japanese player to win multiple Paralympic gold medals – after the legendary Shingo Kunieda, who won the men’s singles gold at Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 and men’s doubles gold at Athens 2004.

Kamiji has been working with Kunieda and he has been on-site at Roland Garros. The 28-time Grand Slam singles champion, who also has four Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis gold medals to his name, has been a hugely significant presence.

“I just can’t describe how big this is,” said world No. 2 Kamiji, who was born with spina bifida. “I said yesterday that doubles gold was the best moment of my career, but I also said that might change – and this is the best moment of my career.

“I’m happy. I want to thank my team, my family and friends, but also Diede for showing people how good wheelchair tennis is, and how good women’s singles is.

“I was out there on the court by myself today, but I always think about the people backing me. They are always supporting me even if they are not here. I can hear every voice, and I also saw Shingo.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ITF Tennis (@itftennis)

“Every point I saw him, and I received energy from him. After his retirement, I started to work a little with him. He’s a really good role model as a player but also as a person. He gives me ideas all of the time, and I learn a lot from him.

“I just wanted to show him what I have got from him. I hope I can be to the next generation of players what Shingo has been for us. With players like Tokito (Oda), by working hard together, we can show the world that Japan is a strong wheelchair tennis country.”

Kamiji entered the clash having lost 46 of the 62 previous showdowns between her and De Groot, one of which was the gold medal match at Tokyo 2020 when the Dutchwoman prevailed in straight sets.

Despite going a set down, Kamiji, who now has two golds, a silver and two bronze medals to her name, was not for turning. De Groot, so often imperious, was forced to be magnanimous in defeat. She took solace in a hug from her parents.

“They were just really proud of me,” said world No. 1 De Groot.

“They said to me that I always wanted wheelchair to grow, for there to be more competition. They said, ‘don’t worry, it’s okay, you can be proud of yourself’ and they also told me there is more competition, which is what I wanted.

“I’m just really sad that I couldn’t get the gold medal. At the moment, it’s still a little bit painful, but Yui played amazing. She didn’t give me anything. She put all the balls back into the court and I just couldn’t get through it.”

De Groot will undoubtedly recover and have plenty more days of celebration, but today belongs to Kamiji.