No.1 seed Yui Kamiji once again demonstrated why she is one of the most dominant players in wheelchair tennis, claiming the Australian Open 2025 women’s wheelchair singles title with a 6-2 6-2 victory over Aniek Van Koot.
Entering her post-match press conference with a wide smile, Kamiji appeared every bit the composed and seasoned champion. This victory marks her ninth Grand Slam singles title and her third at the Australian Open.
MORE: All the results from AO 2025
“Every Grand Slam [is] really special… It's always challenging for me. I'm really happy,” Kamiji said, her joy evident.
While Kamiji has experienced widespread success over her career - having claimed major titles in Paris and New York as well as Melbourne - she was quick to highlight the significance of this victory, noting that her last Grand Slam title came in 2020.
The win gave her sole possession of third place for the most Australian Open titles in women’s wheelchair tennis. She now stands behind only Esther Vergeer, who holds nine titles, and winner for the past four years, Diede de Groot, who has six. De Groot has been forced to miss Australian Open 2025 as she recovers from surgery.
Kamiji’s dominance was on display as she took to the court against Dutch No.2 seed Van Koot, herself a winner here in 2013.
The clash between two seasoned rivals showcased Kamiji’s control and skill as she denied Van Koot a single service game, giving a composed performance characterised by precise shot-making and strategic dominance.
Despite her commanding win, Kamiji’s respect for her opponent was evident. In her comments after the match she praised Van Koot’s resilience and ability to force her to play her best tennis.
“She has passion and power. So I'm really lucky that I can have some player like her. I really appreciate [her], because she's been playing so long, more than me, and I want her to continue a few more years.”
The rivalry between Kamiji and Van Koot is among the most storied in wheelchair tennis, with this match marking their 70th meeting. The Japanese player has held the upper hand, winning 49 of their previous meetings.
Despite the intense rivalry, mutual respect shone through as they shared a warm post-match hug. Kamiji’s ability to adapt and innovate, even against such a familiar opponent, has been key to her success.
In her press conference, she hinted at strategic adjustments. "I have some new ideas against her, especially for today. I'm always trying to change some things, which I can't tell you,” she added with a smile.