The Rio Open presented by Claro hosts the Wheelchair Tennis Elite tournament, presented by ALLOS, for the third consecutive year, starting this Thursday with matches featuring four of the world's top wheelchair tennis players, including the current world number 1, Japan's Tokito Oda.
The Wheelchair Tennis Elite singles semi-finals will take place from 4 pm onwards, on Court 2 of the Jockey Club Brasileiro.
The main attraction is Tokito Oda, who earlier this year completed the Career Golden Slam with his Australian Open title, winning the four biggest tournaments in the world, in addition to his gold medal at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
Oda has a total of eight Grand Slam singles titles and two more in doubles, with particular emphasis on his performance on clay, a surface on which he is the current three-time Roland Garros champion.
"I'm finding it incredible, it's a beautiful city, the weather is great, the food is great, I'm very excited," said the world number 1 before his debut.
The Japanese player's opponent in the semi-final will be Brazilian Daniel Rodrigues, currently ranked 14th in the world. He has participated in all editions of the Wheelchair Tennis Elite at the Rio Open.
"It's gratifying to be the Brazilian here representing wheelchair tennis among these great athletes and to be able to show a little bit of our sport. I'm very happy to be in Brazil and to have such a big event within the Rio Open and to be a part of it," said Daniel.
The other semi-final features two Grand Slam champions. Currently ranked number 3 in the world, Spaniard Martín de la Puente will face Argentinian Gustavo Fernández, fourth in the world rankings.
The 26-year-old Spaniard has two Grand Slam doubles titles, winning the 2022 US Open and the 2025 Wimbledon. In January, he was runner-up in singles at the Australian Open, losing the final to Oda in a tough match (3–6, 6–2, 6–2).
"It's always special to return to Rio, the courts are magical, the atmosphere spectacular, and for us, for wheelchair tennis, it's always good to be at these kinds of events. The support we receive here is always incredible. Thank you, Allos, and everyone who makes this event possible because we are always very eager to return to Rio," said the world number 3.
Gustavo Fernández, 32 years old, completed his Career Grand Slam in doubles this year by winning the Australian Open. He also has five Grand Slam singles titles and highlights the atmosphere of the Rio Open for wheelchair tennis.
"The atmosphere in Rio is always special. Playing tennis in South America has something special. For me, it's a pleasure to return, I thank ALLOS for making this possible and I hope the public enjoys it and that we enjoy it too. May we have a beautiful wheelchair tennis event," he concluded.
SCHEDULE - Thursday, February 19
Court 2 - from 4:00 PM
[2] Gustavo Fernandez (ARG) vs Martin de la Puente (ESP)
following
[1] Tokito Oda (JPN) vs Daniel Rodrigues (BRA)
