It took the Paralympics for Yui Kamiji to realise how far she had come a tennis player. Now, with Tokyo 2020 Games looming large in 12 months’ time, she knows how close she is to an historic gold.

The 25-year-old, whose home town of Akashi is 500km to the west of Tokyo, host city for these 16^th Summer Paralympic Games, is gearing up for a third shot at Paralympic glory in 2020, having made her debut at London 2012 and winning singles bronze in Rio de Janeiro four years later.

But for Kamiji, being part of the Paralympics is about more than what happens on court at the revamped Ariake Tennis Center. Having embraced the thrill of reaching London and Rio, she is already brimming with anticipation for the Games’ arrival in her home nation.

“Everything about the Paralympics excites me,” Kamiji admits. “The tournament will be very fun, but the Games are like a festival, and I can’t wait to feel that.”

Like many athletes, the Paralympics holds a special place in Kamiji’s heart for the sense of accomplishment in being recognised as a Paralympian. Her standout memory of Games gone by came before a ball had been hit in London – a moment of reflection, and great pride.

“It’s difficult to choose a favourite memory, because every moment is so exciting, and I’ve enjoyed every time I have competed there,” she said. “But the London 2012 Paralympics is my biggest emotion, especially the opening ceremony.

I came into the stadium and so many people were there. They were very noisy! It made me realise how far I had come – I didn’t think I would ever make it there when I started playing tennis.”

Then just 17 years old, Kamiji reached the singles quarter-finals at London 2012. In Rio four years later, she went one round better, surging to the semis and winning the bronze medal match against long-time rival Diede De Groot to become the first Japanese woman to win a Paralympic tennis medal.

Now, with the Paralympics heading to Tokyo for the second time, Kamiji has the chance to go one round further in 2020 and contest a Paralympic wheelchair tennis final.

“I tried two times before and last time I got the bronze, but I really want a gold medal,” she admits. “It hasn’t happened yet, so it’s time to do that.”

Wheelchair tennis was yet to be invented when the Paralympics were last held in Tokyo in 1964, but with Kamiji and two-time men’s singles champion Shingo Kunieda leading the charge, Japan counts itself among the leading nations in the sport ahead of Tokyo 2020.

For her part Kamiji can’t wait to showcase her sport in front of those who matter most – particularly with opportunities to see the world No.3 in action against the world’s best a rarity for her family.

“They will be able to come and see my matches,” Kamiji said. “The last two Paralympics were very far from Japan, so my family and friends couldn’t be there.

“My mother and sister came with me to Rio, but my father has never been to the Paralympics. He has only seen me play against Japanese players, so maybe it will be his first time he will see me against world-class opposition.”

As for the notion of nerves, not a bit of it from the six-time Grand Slam champion. With two Paralympic campaigns to her name already, she is ready for her third – this time with the added bonus of a vociferous home support on a court she knows well.

“Only one time I got to play in the Ariake Stadium, at the World Team Cup,” she recalls. “It was a really good tournament and I really enjoyed it. When I think about the Paralympics, I think about that.”