| Wheelchair tennis began in 1976, when American athlete Brad Parks first hit a tennis ball from a wheelchair and demonstrated the potential of this new sport. In 2026, it celebrates its 50th anniversary. In 1988, the IWTF (International Wheelchair Tennis Federation) was established as the sport’s first international governing body. With this foundation, wheelchair tennis rapidly expanded across the globe, and today it has become an international sport with thousands of active players in more than 100 countries. In 1998, the IWTF was integrated into the ITF (International Tennis Federation) and became the IWTA (International Wheelchair Tennis Association). This strengthened the sport’s global structure, and the ITF‑sanctioned “NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour” has grown to more than 170 tournaments worldwide. Like the ATP and WTA tours, players compete intensely within an international ranking system. Today, wheelchair tennis is considered one of the fastest‑growing wheelchair sports in the world. One major reason is that it can be played on any standard tennis court without modifying the racket or ball, allowing it to blend naturally with the able‑bodied game. Except for one unique rule—wheelchair players are allowed two bounces—the sport follows the same ITF rules as able‑bodied tennis.  ＊The photo above shows a scene from the tournament held in 1992 at Shiawase-no-Mura. The “KOBE OPEN International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament” succeeded the “Asahi Cup New Mix Tournament,” which had traditionally been hosted on a rotating basis by the Kansai Wheelchair Tennis Association. In 1993, it was relaunched at Shiawase-no-Mura in Kobe—an ideal venue with excellent facilities and environment for people with disabilities—as an IWTA‑sanctioned Satellite event on the international tour. In 1994, the tournament was elevated to the Championship Series level on the international tour. However, due to the devastating damage caused by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake on January 17, 1995, the event—already in preparation for its April edition—was forced to be cancelled. The tournament resumed the following year in 1996 and has continued to grow steadily ever since. In 1998, it was upgraded to C2, a high‑grade event on the NEC Tour, and from the 2001 edition it further advanced to CS1, one of the top categories. For the four years through 2004, it maintained this top-tier status and became one of the leading international tournaments in Asia, attracting many players from across Japan and abroad. Beginning with the 2006 edition, the Hyogo Wheelchair Tennis Association became the event organizer, and the tournament made a fresh start as an ITF Futures Series event. It has also gained attention as a unique sports event jointly operated by wheelchair tennis players, able‑bodied volunteers, and members of the Japan Ladies Tennis Federation. In 2009, after a three‑year interval, the tournament returned to the ITF3 grade and adopted a new name: the “DUNLOP KOBE OPEN.” In 2013, the 20th Anniversary Tournament and Ceremony were held. In July 2014, the “NEC Wheelchair Tennis Tour” welcomed UNIQLO as its new tour sponsor, with NEC continuing as one of the official sponsors, and the tour was renamed the “UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour.” The Kobe tournament continued successfully under this structure, but the 2020 and 2021 editions were cancelled due to the global COVID‑19 pandemic. In 2022, with overseas players unable to participate, the event was held as a Futures tournament. In 2023, it returned to the ITF3 grade with thorough infection‑prevention measures and was held safely. Furthermore, in 2024 the tournament was upgraded to ITF2, attracting more international players than ever before. At the Paris Paralympics in September 2024, Yui Kamiji—who also serves on the tournament’s organizing committee—achieved the remarkable feat of winning gold medals in both singles and doubles in the women’s main draw. Wheelchair tennis continues to gain increasing attention worldwide. This tournament is supported by Hyogo Prefecture, various organizations and companies, as well as the warm and dedicated efforts of many citizen volunteers. We sincerely hope that it will continue to be a “truly inspiring sporting event” that brings vitality to both the local community and people with disabilities, supported by the love and friendship of all who participate. |
2025 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF2
2024 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF2
2023 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2022 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF Futures
2021 Cancelled due to the COVID‑19 pandemic
2020 Cancelled due to the COVID‑19 pandemic
2019 Shiawase-no-Mura ITF3
2018 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2017 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2016 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2015 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2014 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2013 Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2012 Shiawase-no-Mura / Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2011 Shiawase-no-Mura / Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2010 Shiawase-no-Mura / Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2009 Shiawase-no-Mura / Bourbon Beans Dome ITF3
2008 Shiawase-no-Mura ITF Futures
2007 Shiawase-no-Mura ITF Futures
2006 Shiawase-no-Mura ITF Futures
2005 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS1
2004 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS1
2003 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS1
2002 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS1
2001 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS2
2000 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS2
1999 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS2
1998 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS3
1997 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS4
1996 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS4
1995 Cancelled due to the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake
1994 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park CS4
1993 Shiawase-no-Mura / Kobe Sports Park Satellite 1
＊The photo above shows the awards ceremony of the 20th Anniversary DUNLOP KOBE OPEN held in 2013.