Japan’s two-time Paralympic Games men's singles champion Shingo Kunieda is among the leading names confirmed by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to compete in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games wheelchair tennis events.

World no.1 and London 2012 silver medallist Stephane Houdet, Great Britain’s Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Gordon Reid, and Argentina’s Roland Garros champion Gustavo Fernandez are also on the entry list released on Thursday (25 August).

Stephane Houdet is expected to challenge for medals at Rio 2016 (Photo: Getty Images/Robert Prezioso)

A total of 100 players from 29 countries will compete for six gold medals at the Olympic Tennis Centre, in Barra Olympic Park, from 9 to 16 September. There are singles and doubles tournaments for men and women, and also in the quad category, which is open to both genders. Quad category players, who have an impairment affecting three or more limbs, may use tape to securely grip the racket.

Spectators guide to wheelchair tennis

The men’s singles event will feature 52 players, while women’s singles will have 32 players and quad singles will be contested by 16 players. The doubles teams comprise players already contesting the singles events, and will feature 20 men’s teams, 10 women’s teams and six quad teams.

A new champion is guaranteed in the women’s singles event following the retirement of Dutch four-time winner Esther Vergeer. World no.1 Jiske Griffioen, along with the fourth and fifth-ranked Aniek van Koot and Marjolein Buis, will look to continue the Nerthlerlands' dominance.

Jiske Griffioen is expected to be a medal contender in singles and doubles (Photo: Getty Images/Darrian Traynor)

There will also be a new winner in the quad singles, with Australia’s world no.1 Dylan Alcott heading the entries. The USA’s three-time Paralympic medallist David Wagner will also be bidding for gold.

The wheelchair tennis events will be played on a hard surface at the Olympic Tennis Centre, with nine match courts and six practice courts, including a 10,000-capacity centre court and 3,000-capacity second show court.

Fierce competition

“London 2012 saw the most successful Paralympic tennis event in history, and I am confident that this year’s event will be an equally memorable competition,” said ITF president David Haggerty.

“Wheelchair tennis has become one of the most popular Paralympic sports thanks to its outstanding athletes and great personalities, and we are looking forward to a great atmosphere and some fierce competition.”

Events will be contested on nine match courts at the Olympic Tennis Centre (Photo: Getty Images/Julian Finney)

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