Japanese teenager Tokito Oda made historical past by profitable the Wimbledon wheelchair title with a commanding 6-4, 6-2 victory towards Alfie Hewett on Sunday.
Aged 17 years and 69 days, Oda is the youngest man to win a Wimbledon singles title in any self-discipline.
He’s additionally the youngest participant to win a Wimbledon singles title since 16-year-old Martina Hingis lifted the ladies’s trophy in 1997.
“That is so superb. I didn’t count on this superb assist on this court docket. I’m feeling like I’m residing in a dream. I’m so comfortable,” Oda mentioned.
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“I wish to thank Alfie and his assist group. It was not simple taking part in on this scenario towards a rustic’s dwelling participant.
“He is likely one of the strongest gamers and I’ve performed him many occasions. It’s actually robust taking part in with him.”
Oda’s Wimbledon victory introduced him a second Grand Slam title after he gained final month’s French Open.
That success made him the youngest man to win a Grand Slam match in any self-discipline and likewise the youngest world primary within the historical past of wheelchair tennis.
Oda is just too younger to drink alcohol legally so he needed to accept toasting his celebration with a glass of water as an alternative of the champagne he would have most popular.
“I’m nonetheless 17, I wished to open the champagne, however I couldn’t so perhaps I’ll have glowing water with my group,” he mentioned.
Britain’s Hewett gained the Wimbledon wheelchair doubles title with Gordon Reid on Saturday.
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However the 25-year-old misplaced the singles closing for a second successive 12 months as 11 double faults amongst his 19 unforced errors gifted the title to Oda.
“To start with, congrats to Tokito and your group. What a efficiency on the market at present, and I hope you get pleasure from yourselves in a while,” Hewett mentioned.
“I really feel like wheelchair tennis is being placed on the map at Wimbledon.”