In its 23rd year at the AO and 50th year as a sport since being founded in 1976, the Wheelchair Championships began with a bang on Wednesday with some incredible matches at AO 2026.
It was a good day for the defending men’s and women’s singles champions, with Yui Kamiji and Alfie Hewett getting through in straight sets.
Reigning AO wheelchair singles champion Kamiji launched her campaign with an impressive win over Dutchwoman Jiske Griffioen, 6-2 6-2.
Kamiji is looking to build on her best year in 2025, which saw her make all four Grand Slam wheelchair singles finals, winning three of them. The only one missing from her trophy cabinet? Wimbledon.
“My biggest goal is a Wimbledon title this year,” Kamiji said. “Of course, I want to win all the matches not just Grand Slams. I’m not rushing,” she was quick to add.
As the current women’s world No.1 alongside Tokito Oda on the men’s side, Kamiji is flying the flag for Japan, which has established a strong global presence in wheelchair tennis over the years.
"When I started wheelchair [tennis] when I was 10 years old, Shingo Kunieda was No.1. We could see many [Japanese] players, they have an opportunity to play such a big tournament. It’s not easy but I could imagine if I can be better, I also can have a chance to compete there. I think we are really lucky,” she said.
Using tactical smarts and a solid foundation to build points, Kamiji believes wheelchair tennis involves more brain than brawn.
“I’m feeling in the women’s, they are more powerful, quicker. I am the player building the point but because of the power, players can finish really with a big shot, which is really difficult for me to win all the time,” she said.
“Wheelchair tennis is one of the sports where you have to be smart. People have the benefit of their physical things but still I can challenge against them. I’m really happy that I chose tennis.”
Opening his account with a solid 6-2 6-1 win over Japan’s Takuya Miki, Hewett is looking to become the third player to win three or more AO men’s wheelchair singles titles – after 11-time champion Shingo Kunieda and three-time champion David Hall.
Two-time AO champion Gustavo Fernandez is also bidding for an historic third title to join the sport's elite, defeating Chilean qualifier Alexander Cataldo 6-2 6-3.
Meanwhile Tokito Oda is chasing the ‘Oda Slam’ at AO 2026 after winning the titles at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open last year.
He booked his spot in the quarterfinals with an impressive win over American Casey Ratzlaff 6-3 6-3.
Should he take out the AO 2026 title, Oda would become the second player in men’s wheelchair tennis history to win four consecutive Grand Slam singles titles.
Since 2017, when all four Grand Slams held singles events for the first time, the now-retired Kunieda is the only player to have recorded a streak of four consecutive men’s wheelchair singles titles – from the US Open 2021 through to Wimbledon 2022.
Oda will be looking to cement himself in Japanese folklore and carve his own individual place in wheelchair tennis should he achieve that feat at AO 2026.
In the quad singles event, world No.1 Niels Vink opened his wheelchair singles campaign in style with a devastating 6-0 6-1 demolition of Aussie wildcard Finn Broadbent.
Vink is looking to complete the career Slam at AO 2026, the only accolade missing from his illustrious CV.
Two-time Paralympic medallist Heath Davidson won the all-Aussie battle against rising 18-year-old star Ben Wenzel, orchestrating a rousing comeback in their opening round quad wheelchair singles match.
A veteran of the sport, having competed professionally since 2001, the 38-year-old Davidson spoke of how the sport has changed in 10 years, highlighting one specific factor that has evolved.
“Everyone’s just taking it a little bit more professionally. Everyone’s bigger, they’re stronger. We get a lot more power out of the racquets these days. And our chairs are a lot more custom so we can get around the court faster,” he explained.
Davidson also believes wheelchair tennis is now a viable career path for aspiring wheelchair athletes looking to make it on the professional circuit.
“One hundred per cent it is now. Dylan’s first Australian Open, he won $4500. If you put in the time there’s a world tour, international tour that we get to travel the world. I’m away for six months of the year now. We make good money if we’re making the Slams. It’s really cool and I’m really proud to be a part of it,” he said.
Aussie 16-year-old rising star Jin Woodman, also had an impressive win in his opening round quad singles match over Brazilian qualifier, Ymanitu Silva 6-1 6-2.