Last Updated: 2023.04.24
UNIQLO Global Brand Ambassadors Shingo Kunieda and Gordon Reid Combine to Develop the Next Generation for Wheelchair Tennis - In a Rare Mentoring Opportunity for Young Players, Both Champions Shared Skills and Insights
UNIQLO CO., LTD.
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As part of its Next Generation Development Program, UNIQLO held the ITF UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Clinic with Shingo Kunieda & Gordon Reid at the Iizuka Sports Resort in Fukuoka yesterday. Through a unique clinic to develop the sport's future, the champions coached 14 of Japan's best young players, aged 9-17, who travelled from all over Japan to attend. Participants learned on-court skills and received career mentoring and advice afterwards.
The clinic was held after the finals of the 39th Iizuka International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament (Japan Open 2023), an international tournament on the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour, of which UNIQLO is the title sponsor. The clinic was co-hosted by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and the Japan Open 2023. UNIQLO held the event under its Next Generation Development Program, with sponsorship support from the Fast Retailing Foundation. This was the second time the clinic has been held, following London in July last year. It was the first time to be held in Japan.
Shingo Kunieda has a strong connection with the Iizuka International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament, competing 15 times between 2003 to 2019, and winning nine times. In his first visit back since retiring in January, Kunieda provided young promising talent with friendly and detailed instruction on technique, such as racket grip and maintaining a center of gravity. Reid, who reached the tournament's quarterfinals, also provided coaching to young athletes.
During the talk session, Kunieda said of the pathway to improvement; "There is no magic technique. It is important to think about tennis every day and keep practicing." Meanwhile, Reid said, "You have to keep working hard when no one is watching." To a question on what he practiced as a junior, Reid replied, "Movement (wheelchair operation). I repeated basic movements that allowed me to move around the court." When asked what he thought about before matches, Kunieda replied, "Strategies based on the opponent I am going to face. Before the match, it's important to think about what kind of strategy you are going to use."
Comment from Shingo Kunieda
"I was surprised to see that all the junior athletes were even better than I had imagined. I would be happy if my coaching helps further boost the future of those who participated today, and by extension, the future of wheelchair tennis in Japan and around the world. I intend to continue to be involved in the development of the next generation in a variety of ways."
Comment from Gordon Reid
"I am very honored to participate in the Next Generation Development Program with UNIQLO, a long-time supporter of wheelchair tennis, and to contribute to the development of this sport. I was pleased to see the junior athletes working so hard in our practice session. I hope that they will use what they learned today to continue to enjoy playing tennis, work hard in training, and grow even more."
