Moyuka Uchijima is experiencing a season filled with remarkable firsts.
Her dominant 6-3, 6-2 victory over third seed Jessica Pegula on Sunday propelled her into the Round of 16 at the Mutua Madrid Open. This win marked her first time defeating a player ranked inside the Top 25. Impressively, Uchijima also overcame 26th seed Ons Jabeur in the previous round; it`s worth noting Jabeur defeated Pegula in the 2022 Madrid final.
Should Uchijima secure another win on Monday, she would enter the PIF WTA Rankings Top 50 for the very first time.
Here are five facts about the 23-year-old Japanese player:
1. Tennis wasn`t her first sport
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Uchijima moved to Tokyo, Japan around the age of seven or eight. Her father Kazuto`s office at the Bristol Company, located near her elementary school, had tennis courts.
Uchijima: “At that time I was doing swimming and basketball, but I wanted to try something else. So I started tennis with my sister. Swimming was tough. Every day you’re doing the same thing and basketball was mostly running every day and I didn’t like that. I really enjoyed hitting balls.”
2. She adapted to clay courts later in her career
Uchijima trains in Guangzhou, China, alongside players like Zheng Saisai, but initially had limited experience on clay surfaces.
Uchijima: “I played on hard court and artificial grass court — it’s what we have in Japan. Clay was really challenging for me, but a couple years ago I started to find my game on clay. And actually it suits the way I play the most. Last year it clicked. This year, I didn’t really get to practice on clay but, match by match, I’m getting better. Yeah, I’m starting to like clay more and more.”
3. Her confidence is growing with each match
Uchijima is also setting new personal benchmarks. Her win on Sunday marked the first time she has achieved three consecutive victories at the WTA level in her career, excluding Billie Jean King Cup results.
Uchijima: “I had a lot of close matches — against Mirra Andreeva in the Australian Open, Coco Gauff in Indian Wells. Yeah, I feel I’m able to play against those top players but couldn’t get the win, just last little hill I couldn’t go over. This week, even first round, I was getting killed by Robin [Montgomery, losing the first set 6-1]. But I just try not to think too much. Try to do what you can do at that moment.”
4. She climbed from ITF events to the Madrid main draw
Just two years ago, she lost her first qualifying match in Madrid. Last year, her ranking wasn`t high enough for the qualifying draw, leading her to play (and win!) an ITF W100 event at a different Madrid location. This victory was part of an impressive 19-match winning streak, which included three ITF titles and qualifying for and reaching the second round of Roland Garros, ultimately propelling her into the Top 100 for the first time.
Uchijima: “Last year this time I was playing ITF and watching all these players on TV. And now, you are actually playing the same tournament. To come back here in main draw is really, really special and makes me happy. I still cannot believe it. I’m still in a dream.”
5. Kei Nishikori was her childhood inspiration
Nishikori is one of Japan`s most successful tennis players, reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 4 and the US Open final in 2014.
Uchijima: “We actually went to the Olympics together last year. I was watching him on TV and actually like living the same life, in the same place. He played here many, many years and gave me some tips. I guess it’s working. He’s always my idol and I’m just really, really happy we are playing the same tournament. I hope I can keep going. I still cannot believe how I played today. Just hope to continue the solid game tomorrow or whenever I play. I don’t even know who I’m playing next.”
