Roland-Garros Junior Series debuts in Japan – Nurturing Rising Stars in Asia
For over 50 years, BNP Paribas has been supporting tennis and its power to rally people together for a positive impact on and off courts.
“Roland-Garros Junior Series by Renault”, the world-famous tournament that supports the future talents of tennis, made its APAC debut in Japan in October. As its official partner, we were delighted to extend our commitment to junior Asian players.
During the tournament, all four of our 13-year-old players of BNP Paribas Young Talents Japan had the chance to receive coaching from none other than Kei Nishikori who served as a tournament ambassador alongside Daisuke Arai, ambassador of Team Young Talents Japan and wheelchair tennis athlete and employee of BNP Paribas Japan.
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Follow the special coaching session for Team Young Talents on Kei Nishikori’s Instagram and the official Roland Garros Instagram!
Our commitment to nurturing junior tennis players flourished thanks to the partnership with BNP Paribas under the programme ‘Team BNP Paribas Young Talents Japan with JTA’, which launched in 2023. It was incredible for the young players to be coached by Kei Nishikori.
Looking ahead, we will continue supporting the development of young tennis talent with ‘Team Young Talents’ and ‘Fujisan Project’, building up both their physical and mental strength.
Toshihisa Tsuchihashi, Senior Executive Director of the Japan Tennis Association
Team BNP Paribas Young Talents Japan with JTA
Sona Akabane
I am very happy to have played against a legend like Kei Nishikori; the lesson motivated me a lot. Comparing myself with Kei made me realise my weakness. I am glad that Kei gave me great tips for my future career path.
Aya Shinohara
Taking part in the clinic with Kei was a wonderful experience for me. I am glad that I was able to practice with Kei on a clay court where I do not usually have a chance to play on. I will train harder with advice that Kei has given me at the clinic. Thank you for this amazing opportunity.
Kazuki Nakajima
Participating in the clinic and receiving the world-class tennis lesson motivated me to become a top player like Kei. I would like to say thank you to BNP Paribas, Kei, and Daisuke who is also an ambassador of Team Young Talents programme, for giving me this great opportunity.
Yuto Hisano
The clinic was short but a very valuable experience for me. Kei’s words, “you do not need to worry too much about the current wins and losses for the future accomplishments”, will always stay in my heart to the day I become a top player like him. I will practice harder with advice that Kei has given me at the clinic.
Ambassador of Team BNP Paribas Young Talents Japan with JTA
Daisuke Arai
BNP Paribas athlete employee / wheelchair tennis player
Daisuke has a congenital tibial deficiency of his right lower leg and has been using a prosthetic leg since the age of two. He began playing soft tennis with a prosthetic leg in junior high school and served as a captain of the soft tennis club in both junior high school and technical college. He started participating in overseas tournaments as a BNP Paribas player in 2017. He won singles titles in six tournaments in 2019 and was selected to represent Japan at the top international Games for para-athletes in 2021. He participated in the Grand Slam Australian Open followed by the French Open for the first time in 2023. His world rankings are 16th in singles and 16th in doubles (as of 21 October 2024).
About BNP Paribas’ ‘Team Young Talents’ Programme
BNP Paribas supports more than 160 young tennis and wheelchair tennis hopefuls in building their careers through its “Team BNP Paribas Talents” programme in France (under the patronage of Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in association with the French Tennis Federation), the United States (with John and Patrick McEnroe), Belgium (under the patronage of Justine Henin) and Italy, Poland, Canada, Japan (under the partnership with Japan Tennis Association) and Portugal.