'I was missing you, baby': stylish Oda regains Australian Open title

Japan’s Tokito Oda is used to breaking records and more history-making accolades are heading his way after winning the Australian Open wheelchair men’s singles title with victory over Martin de la Puente.

Oda recovered from a set down to beat De la Puente 3-6 6-2 6-2 and seal the second Australian Open men’s singles title of his career and first since 2024, having lost to Great Britain’s Alfie Hewett in last year’s final.

Now for the history. Oda is now just the second men’s wheelchair tennis player since 2017, when all four Grand Slams held singles events for the first time, to win four consecutive Grand Slam singles titles.

The only other men’s player to achieve the feat is Oda’s fellow countryman Shingo Kunieda, who won the singles titles at all four Grand Slams from the 2021 US Open through to the 2022 Wimbledon Wheelchair Championships.

In addition, at 19 years and 269 days, Oda is the youngest man in professional tennis history to hold all four Grand Slam singles title simultaneously – ahead of Don Budge, who was aged 22 years and 363 days, in 1938.

The teenager is the second youngest player – man or woman – to hold all four Grand Slam singles titles simultaneously. The only player to achieve the feat at a younger age is Steffi Graf, who did so in 1988 aged 19 years and 89 days.

“I was missing you, baby,” joked Oda, who began using a wheelchair at the age of nine after being diagnosed with bone cancer in his leg, after reclaiming the Australian Open title before turning his attentions to future records. 

“Maybe from when I started tennis, I don't think about a Grand Slam title. I was dreaming of the Paralympic Games, but it was different. I just want a battle since I was a kid. I just love the battle with somebody. This is kind of like my dream to play the big match.”

For De la Puente, the wait for a maiden Grand Slam singles title goes on. Had he defeated Oda, he would have become the 13th player to win a Grand Slam men’s wheelchair singles title and the first Spaniard.

It was not to be on this occasion, but opportunity will knock again.

A full list of results from the 2026 Australian Open Wheelchair Championships is available here.