Alfie Hewett and Yui Kamiji Dominate 2025 Lexus British Open Roehampton
The 2025 Lexus British Open Roehampton turned heads in the wheelchair tennis world, running as an ITF 1 Series event from July 1-4. Wheelchair tennis fans and casual observers alike were glued to the action, with world-class players gathering on the grass in Roehampton. The event, held for the first time at this high-tier ITF classification, gave athletes and organizers a real sense that wheelchair tennis is stepping into a bigger spotlight.
Home crowd favorite Alfie Hewett put together a remarkable campaign, clinching the men’s singles title. His final against Gustavo Fernandez was a showcase of grit and shot-making, with Hewett digging deep to take control when it mattered most. Hewett, who’s no stranger to heavy pressure at these events, used the Roehampton title as the perfect tune-up for Wimbledon’s storied courts just days down the line. The crowd’s support fueled his focus, making his victory even sweeter after tough earlier rounds.
On the women’s side, Yui Kamiji proved yet again why she’s a force to be reckoned with on grass. She took down Aniek van Koot in the final, relying on her signature movement and fierce groundstrokes. Kamiji’s continued dominance speaks to the subtle skills needed for grass-court tennis—a surface that’s notoriously tricky for wheelchair movement and ball bounce. Kamiji’s ability to adapt is unmatched, helping her keep her edge in one of the season’s most important pre-Wimbledon showdowns.
Rising Stars, Early Exits, and Growing Opportunity
There were some surprises, too. Ruben Spaargaren and Angelica Bernal, fresh off title wins at the Lexus Eastbourne Open just a week before, couldn’t keep the momentum going in Roehampton. Spaargaren fell to Gustavo Fernandez in the early rounds, while Bernal ran into trouble against van Koot. Their early departures opened up the draws, signaling the level of depth and unpredictability that’s brewing in wheelchair tennis.
Some up-and-comers nabbed the crowd’s attention. Ahmet Kaplan, Francisco Cayulef, and Donald Ramphadi each made their mark by pushing seeded players out of their comfort zones. Ramphadi especially, known for his powerful serve and aggressive play, made it clear he’s not far from an upset or two in bigger tournaments.
This year marked a major shift, with Roehampton and Eastbourne both officially bumped to ITF 1 Series status. That means bigger prize money—£32,000 on offer in Roehampton—and a clearer path for athletes to earn international ranking points. These upgrades tie into the UNIQLO Wheelchair Tennis Tour’s push to include more players and give them better opportunities to compete at high levels.
The British Open didn’t just provide Wimbledon prep; it brought out the best in veterans and newcomers, raised the bar for wheelchair events, and made it clear that tennis on four wheels is becoming more thrilling and accessible each season. For players like Hewett and Kamiji, the wins in Roehampton will stand as another milestone in what’s shaping up to be an exciting era for the sport. The audience, the sponsors, and—most importantly—the athletes are taking notice. The stage is set for even more intense battles on tennis’s biggest grass courts.
