In a thrilling climax to Wimbledon 2025, Japan's Tokito Oda secured his second Wimbledon wheelchair singles title by overcoming Britain's Alfie Hewett in a gripping three-set final on Sunday. The 19-year-old world number one battled back from a set down to defeat the 27-year-old defending champion 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 in a match that lasted two hours and 16 minutes on a packed Court One at the All England Club.
Oda's victory marks his sixth Grand Slam singles title and cements his place as a dominant force in wheelchair tennis. Having also claimed his third French Open title earlier in June 2025, Oda continues to build an impressive résumé at an astonishingly young age. The final was a showcase of high-quality tennis and intense rivalry, with the two athletes meeting in the final of all three Grand Slams this season and splitting the major titles between them since the US Open in 2022.
The match began with Hewett, the British No. 1, coming out strong and taking the first set 6-3. He broke Oda's serve early and maintained his composure to close out the set in 33 minutes, showcasing his aggressive style and precision. Hewett's performance thrilled the home crowd, who roared their support throughout the opening set.
However, the momentum shifted in the second set as Oda raised his level. Despite Hewett's multiple break point opportunities, the Japanese star fended them off and capitalized on Hewett’s vulnerabilities, particularly on his second serve where Hewett won only one of 13 points. Oda edged the set 7-5, demonstrating resilience and tactical brilliance.
In the deciding set, Oda dominated proceedings, breaking Hewett early and racing to a 5-1 lead. Hewett fought valiantly, saving two championship points on his serve and holding to 5-2, but Oda’s relentless pressure and powerful groundstrokes proved too much. The match concluded with Hewett committing a backhand forced error, handing Oda the victory and his second Wimbledon crown.
Reflecting on the intense battle, Hewett expressed his appreciation for the electrifying atmosphere and the support from the crowd. "To live tennis matches like this is what we both dream of. We said it at the net – to have an audience like this, win or lose, I think that’s the real win today," he said. Hewett acknowledged the significance of the moment despite the loss, emphasizing the unique energy wheelchair tennis has generated at Wimbledon over recent years.
The rivalry between Oda and Hewett has become a defining narrative in wheelchair tennis. Their seven meetings in Grand Slam finals over the past few years have captivated fans worldwide, with Oda now leading their head-to-head 5-2. Both players have dominated the sport, winning the last ten Grand Slam titles between them, making every encounter a must-watch event.
While the singles final was a highlight, Hewett’s Wimbledon campaign ended with further disappointment in the doubles event. Partnering with Gordon Reid, the duo aimed to secure their seventh Wimbledon doubles title, having already won six together. However, they fell short in a tightly contested final against second seeds Martin De La Puente of Spain and Ruben Spaargaren of the Netherlands. The match ended 7-6(1), 7-5 in favor of De La Puente and Spaargaren, denying Hewett and Reid the coveted title.
After the doubles final, Reid expressed his disappointment but also gratitude for the support from the home crowd. "Obviously we are really disappointed; it wasn’t our best performance today but I have to say congratulations to Martin and Ruben today they deserve it, they’ve had a great week," Reid said. "You never want to finish the week with a loss but, if we’re going to do it anywhere, it’s got to be in front of this crowd because we love playing in front of these guys. Thank you everyone for coming to watch." Their loss marked the first time since 2022 that Hewett would leave Wimbledon without a trophy.
In the quad wheelchair category, there were notable performances as well. Gregory Slade and Donald Ramphadi produced a dream run to reach the doubles final, a remarkable feat given it was only their second tournament together. Unfortunately, their journey ended with a heavy defeat to the experienced pairing of Guy Sasson and Niels Vink. Despite the loss, Slade was optimistic about the future, saying, "It’s been very special. For only our second tournament together this isn’t too bad, so thank you to Donald, and to our team of supporters. This trophy is as much theirs as it is mine. It’s been a great week with some positive results, so I’m looking forward to seeing what the future brings." Slade also had a strong singles campaign, advancing to the semi-finals before falling to Sam Schroder.
Meanwhile, Niels Vink continued his dominance by claiming the Wimbledon quad singles title, defeating fellow Dutchman Sam Schroder 6-3, 6-3. Vink, the top seed, also secured the doubles crown alongside Guy Sasson, underscoring his status as one of the sport's premier competitors.
Not all favorites enjoyed success, as Andy Lapthorne exited early, losing in the opening round of both singles and doubles events. His early departure was a surprise given his stature in the sport, but it highlights the increasing depth and competitiveness in wheelchair tennis.
As Wimbledon 2025 concludes, the spotlight shines brightly on Tokito Oda, whose youthful talent and relentless determination have propelled him to the top of the sport. Alfie Hewett, though ending the tournament without a title for the first time since 2022, showcased the heart and skill that have made him a fan favorite and a fierce competitor. The rivalry between these two champions promises to deliver more exciting chapters in the years to come, with fans eagerly anticipating their next encounters on the world’s biggest stages.
