Oda Kaito achieves the wheelchair tennis lifetime golden slam at age 19. A documentary follows his journey.

To commemorate the broadcast and distribution of WOWOW's documentary program "Oda Kaito: The 19-Year-Old Who Changed History. Going Beyond What No One Knows" (December 29th, 11pm, WOWOW Live/WOWOW On Demand), WOWOW interviewed professional wheelchair tennis player Oda Kaito. The program follows Oda, who achieved the wheelchair tennis Golden Slam at age 19 (winning the four Grand Slam tournaments of Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open, as well as the Paralympics). It explores the secret of his strength and the path he takes to challenge himself to move even further.

It has also been decided that actor Ryuta Sato will be the narrator for the program. The two previously appeared together on a quiz show hosted by Sato. When Oda, then 17 years old, became the youngest Grand Slam champion at the 2023 French Open, Sato posted a congratulatory message on his social media, which became a hot topic. After the program was recorded, Oda was interviewed frankly about his goals for next season, his career blueprint for the future, and his thoughts on the Australian Open, which ultimately resulted in his only loss of the year.

◇Oda Kaito

-First of all, please tell us your thoughts after finishing recording the program.

I haven't shot much in places like this, so I'm looking forward to seeing what the finished footage will be like. I don't often look back on things like this (like in this program), and I don't usually look back that much either, so I didn't know more than half of the questions when asked (laughs). However, it was a refreshing experience to look back on things like this, as it's the only opportunity I have.

--Now that you've achieved the Golden Slam of a lifetime by winning the US Open in September, what are your goals as a tennis player? Also, what kind of future do you envision for (wheelchair) tennis?

I don't have a clear goal in mind, and at first there was a time when I felt like "I need a goal." But now I think it's okay not to have one. Surprisingly, I have a strong feeling that I'll just go with the flow and see how far I can go. Next year I'm aiming for the annual Grand Slam, but even beyond that I don't have a clear goal like "this is it." On the contrary, I want to see how far I can go.

(Regarding the future of wheelchair tennis) I think the most important thing is that supporting wheelchair tennis or Oda Kaito will become a status symbol for many people. Just watching F1, the Japanese national soccer team, or the baseball WBC is enough to make people envious. I would like to raise my own self-worth to that level as well. Of course, status isn't everything, but in the end I think it's very important.

--You will be turning 20 in May next year. What are your goals for 2026 and what do you want to achieve in your 20s?

Even though I don't care about the numbers, I've always cherished being a teenager. I feel like I've been working while thinking a lot about the things that are possible only because I'm a teenager, so I think that feeling will change again when I turn 20. I won't know until I try, but I feel like there will be more changes from 19 to 20 than from 20 to 21. (Achieving a lifetime golden slam as a teenager) might be more exciting than achieving it at 20. (What I want to achieve in my 20s) Maybe not (laughs).

--The Australian Open begins in January next year. In the previous tournament (2025), you were the runner-up, losing to Alfie Hewett. What kind of play do you hope to show at next month's Australian Open?

My biggest goal is to change myself every year, or rather, to grow. I don't want to just think, "I did better last year." If I can do that, I think it will lead to not losing even once, so I want to show my strength.

◇Program information

"Oda Kaito: The 19-year-old who changed history. No one knows what's ahead" (December 29, 11 PM on WOWOW Live, WOWOW On Demand)

"Australian Open Tennis" (WOWOW Live and WOWOW On Demand will broadcast live every day from January 18th to February 1st, 2026! All courts will be streamed live on WOWOW On Demand!

"Documentary Series: WHO I AM Paralympics: Oda Kaito (Japan/Wheelchair Tennis)" (Free streaming on WOWOW On Demand)