Grand Slam
Diversity and Inclusion: BNY Mellon-sponsored Shingo Kunieda completes Grand Slam with U.S. Open Men’s Wheelchair singles title
Shingo Kunieda of Japan, the world’s top-ranked men’s wheelchair tennis player, secured the men’s wheelchair singles title at the U.S. Open in
New York Monday, capping a career Grand Slam in which he now holds all four major 2014 tennis titles.
“BNY Mellon has been one of Kunieda-san's sponsors for more than three years, and he continues to demonstrate why we believe so strongly in the value of diversity and inclusion,” said Jyoti Chopra, BNY Mellon's Global Head of Diversity and Inclusion.
In the U.S. Open final, Kunieda was taken to a tiebreaker in the opening set by Gustavo Fernandez, a 20-year-old rising star from Argentina who had upset No. 2 seed and defending champion Stéphane Houdet of France on Saturday. But Kunieda’s experience lifted him to a 7-0 victory in the tiebreak, and he won the second set, 6-4, to claim his fifth U.S. Open title.
Kunieda and Houdet teamed up to win the men’s wheelchair doubles title Saturday, defeating No. 2 seeds Gordon Reid of Great Britain and Maikel Scheffers of The Netherlands. With the doubles title, Houdet also capped a calendar Grand Slam.
“Kunieda-san was 9 years old when he became paralyzed, but he’s refused to allow it to limit him in any way,” said Steve Lackey, BNY Mellon's Chairman of Asia Pacific. "Our employees have come to know Kunieda-san over the years and we are thrilled by his latest achievement.”
“Kunieda-san's continued motivation to drive excellence and be the best in his field is a powerful lesson for all of us," Chopra added.
