Moyuka Uchijima is having a season filled with significant milestones. Her impressive run at the Mutua Madrid Open includes notable victories that mark personal firsts.
On Sunday, she defeated No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2, securing her place in the Round of 16. This win was her first career victory against a player ranked in the Top 25. Prior to this, in the second round, Uchijima had already overcome No. 26 seed Ons Jabeur, who famously beat Pegula in the 2022 final in Madrid.
Should Uchijima win her next match, she would break into the PIF WTA Rankings Top 50 for the first time.
Here are five key facts about the 23-year-old Japanese player:
1. She discovered tennis after exploring other sports
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Uchijima relocated to Tokyo, Japan around the age of seven or eight. Her father`s office, the Bristol Company, located on the route to 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 started playing on clay relatively late
Uchijima primarily trains in Guangzhou, China, sometimes alongside players like Zheng Saisai. However, she initially lacked extensive experience on clay courts.
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. She is building confidence match by match
Her performance in Madrid has also set new personal benchmarks. The win on Sunday meant Uchijima had won three consecutive matches at the WTA level for the first time in her career, excluding Billie Jean King Cup ties.
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 progressed from ITF events to the Madrid main draw
Just two years ago, she failed to get through her first qualifying match in Madrid. Last year, her ranking wasn`t high enough even for the qualifying draw, leading her to play and win an ITF W100 tournament at a different venue in Madrid. This was part of an impressive 19-match winning streak that included three ITF titles, followed by successfully qualifying and reaching the second round of Roland Garros, which propelled her into the Top 100 rankings 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. Japanese tennis icon Kei Nishikori was her childhood idol
Kei Nishikori is one of Japan`s most successful male players, having reached 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.”
Rupert Caldwell