Moyuka Uchijima is having a breakthrough season marked by several significant firsts.
Her impressive performance at the Mutua Madrid Open is a prime example. On Sunday, she defeated the No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula in straight sets (6-3, 6-2) to advance to the Round of 16. This victory marked her first career win against a player ranked in the Top 25. In the second round, Uchijima had already secured a notable win over No. 26 seed Ons Jabeur, the player who defeated Pegula in the 2022 Madrid final.
A potential win in her next match could propel Uchijima into the PIF WTA Rankings Top 50 for the very first time.
Here are five key things to understand about the 23-year-old player from Japan:
1. She found her love for tennis after trying other sports
Born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Uchijima moved to Tokyo, Japan, around the age of seven or eight. Her route to elementary school often took her past her father Kazuto`s office, located at the Bristol Company, which conveniently featured tennis courts.
Uchijima says: “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 came to clay late
Uchijima trains in Guangzhou, China, alongside players like Zheng Saisai, but she initially lacked extensive experience on clay courts.
Uchijima explains: “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’s gaining confidence one match at a time
She is also achieving new personal milestones. Uchijima’s win on Sunday represented the first time in her career (excluding Billie Jean King Cup results) that she has won three consecutive matches at the WTA level.
Uchijima shared: “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 worked her way from ITF events to the Madrid main draw
Her journey to the Madrid Open main draw shows consistent progress. Just two years ago, she lost her first qualifying match in Madrid. Last year, her ranking wasn`t high enough to enter the main qualifying draw, so she competed in and won an ITF W100 event at a different location in Madrid. This victory was part of an impressive 19-match winning streak that included three ITF titles and saw her qualify for and reach the second round of Roland Garros, propelling her into the Top 100 rankings for the first time.
Uchijima reflected: “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 star Kei Nishikori was her idol growing up
Kei Nishikori, a highly accomplished Japanese player, is a former World No. 4 who reached the US Open final in 2014. He was Uchijima`s childhood idol.
Uchijima commented: “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.”
