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Japan’s Oda, 17, becomes youngest Grand Slam wheelchair champion
Japan’s Tokito Oda (centre) celebrates after winning against Britain’s Alfie Hewett during their mens wheelchair singles final match on day fourteen of the Roland-Garros Open tennis tournament at the Court Philippe-Chatrier in Paris on June 10, 2023. — Reuters pic

PARIS, June 10 — Japan’s Tokito Oda defeated top-ranked Alfie Hewett of Britain 6-1, 6-4 in the French Open wheelchair final to become the sport’s youngest Grand Slam champion today.

The 17-year-old is also guaranteed to become the youngest ever world number one in the discipline.

"I was really happy to get the two dreams on the one day — for the youngest player to be No. 1 in world and to win a Grand Slam title; so two dreams come true today. It’s happiest day of my life,” said Oda.

His win on Saturday avenged his defeat to seven-time major winner Hewett at the Australian Open in January.

"It was first time for me on the Philippe Chatrier court. There were so many people in the crowd. Somebody say, ‘Come on, Tokito,’ and somebody say, ‘Allez, Tokito.’ I was really happy to hear that word.”

The new world rankings will be. — Reuters

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