Exhibition match “Tennis Biyori” held for the first time on Japan’s Sports Day
October 14, Tokyo: Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault officially began in Tokyo on October 13 (National Sports Day, Japan), kicking off a lively week honouring the upcoming tennis stars. To celebrate, the event featured its first-ever exhibition match, “Tennis Biyori,” providing a festive day for all tennis enthusiasts. Representing India will be Tavish Pahwa and Yashwin Dahiya. Pahwa and Dahiya will compete against some of the finest Junior Players in Asia
Held on the recreated red clay court symbolising Roland-Garros at Dai-Ichi Life Sogoen Tennis Court in Tokyo, the opening day featured an impressive lineup of guests. Former World No. 1 and tournament ambassador Justine Henin was there, alongside Japanese tennis legends Shuzo Matsuoka and Ai Sugiyama.
The event also included promising junior players from across Asia, university athletes, and others. Together, they created a true “dream court” that crossed generations and borders.
Ryo Tabata, last year’s Boys’ Singles runner-up, added, “Losing to Hyu Kawanishi last year actually became a great turning point—it helped me prepare for the main draw at Roland-Garros Juniors Tournament in Paris. Competing on the same red clay as Paris was an invaluable experience. I hope this year’s players focus not only on winning or losing but also on learning as much as they can. Their presence embodied the spirit and mission of Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault—to nurture the next generation of tennis champions.”
A special tennis clinic for U12 and U13 Japanese players was organised alongside the exhibition, with support from Renault. This opportunity allowed young talents to train and play on red clay while creating lasting memories. Additionally, WOWOW hosted a separate tennis clinic, further enhancing its commitment to promoting the sport. Star Tennis Academy also supported the exhibition, highlighting the collective efforts of partners to bring tennis closer to fans and communities in Japan.
As the prologue to this year’s tournament, “Tennis Biyori” offered a day filled with smiles and connections across generations through the shared love of tennis. From October 15 (Wed), the group stage (round-robin) matches will begin, marking the true start of the young players’ journey toward the Grand Slams. Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault will continue to support these rising talents, taking a new step from Japan toward the world stage.