Paris Paralympics gold medalist Tokito Oda and wheelchair tennis legend Shingo Kunieda will headline a special exhibition match on October 25 at Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo. The cross-generational showdown is part of the Yonex Tennis Festival 2026, bringing together top-tier competitors on the center court of Ariake Colosseum.
Exhibition Match Lineup at Ariake Colosseum
The October 25 event pairs the 19-year-old Oda against Kunieda, who long anchored the men’s wheelchair tennis circuit. The special exhibition match is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. local time on the center court. Alongside Oda and Kunieda, the exhibition lineup features Lleyton Hewitt, Go Soeda, and active players competing in the Toray Pan Pacific Open.
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Yonex organizes the festival as its largest-scale tennis event, designed to connect fans of all ages with professional players through interactive tennis experiences. The festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Ariake Tennis Forest Park, with ticket details available on the official Toray Pan Pacific Open website.
Historical Context of Oda and Kunieda’s Career Grand Slams
Oda reached the pinnacle of men’s wheelchair tennis by capturing the singles gold medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. He followed that performance by winning the 2025 US Open, securing all four major singles titles alongside his Paralympic gold. This achievement makes the 2006-born athlete the youngest player in history to complete a career Golden Slam at 19 years old.
Kunieda achieved the same career Golden Slam milestone during his storied career, paving the way for future generations of Japanese wheelchair tennis players. Their upcoming appearance places two generational standard-bearers on the same court in Tokyo.
Event Schedule and Access Details
The Yonex Tennis Festival 2026 takes place on October 25 at Ariake Tennis Forest Park in Tokyo. The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time, with the main exhibition match starting at 2:00 p.m. at Ariake Colosseum. Spectators seeking admission can check the official Toray Pan Pacific Open ticketing portal for entry and seating information.
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