Kamiji one win from maiden Wimbledon title and career Golden Slam
Japan’s Yui Kamiji finds herself on the brink of history. Following her semi-final victory over Li Xiaohui, the 31-year-old is just one match-win away from a first Wimbledon title – and career Golden Slam.
As a reminder, the career Golden Slam constitutes titles at all four Grand Slams – Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and US Open – together with a gold medal at the Paralympic Games.
Left-hander Kamiji has won multiple singles titles at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open, with just the Wimbledon title – something which has so far proven elusive – required to join the most exclusive of clubs.
Kamiji, whose best Wimbledon result is reaching the final in 2022, will take to the court tomorrow fully aware that opportunity is knocking extremely loudly. Her opponent will be Wang Ziying of China, P.R. against whom she boasts an 8-1 win-loss record.
Should she prevail, Kamiji would join an illustrious list, which at the moment features Dylan Alcott, Diede de Groot and Shingo Kunieda, as the fourth player to complete the career Golden Slam in wheelchair tennis singles.
“I’m really happy to reach the final and it’s really special for me because I made the final here just once before, so I am not really used to it,” Kamiji, who has already completed the career Golden Slam in doubles, told itftennis.com.
“It is also special because if I get the Wimbledon title then I also complete the career Grand Slam in singles and doubles, and it would be really, really special for me to do it this week as my mum and sister are here.
“Today was a bit of a struggle for me with regards to my serve but most of my returns were good. I have taken confidence from this match, and I just want to carry that forward as I prepare for tomorrow.
“Generally, I am trying to play aggressively, which is something I have been trying to do for three or four years, but it really worked at the Paralympic Games last year and I am trying to do it even more now.”
The prospect of a career Golden Slam edged closer after Kamiji made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event by becoming the first non-Dutch player to win the wheelchair women’s singles gold medal.
Kamiji knows what it means to break new ground, and she was visibly elated after sealing gold, celebrating wildly on Court Philippe Chatrier as a Paralympic Wheelchair Tennis Event was held at a Grand Slam venue for the first time.
Akashi-born Kamiji is unlikely to be fazed by the prospect of glory, she has been there and done it all before – well, nearly all. Tomorrow might be the day she can say that statement for real.