Sho Katayama

Hello everyone, I'm Sho Katayama. I started tennis at around four or five, because my father played.

My main results: two All Japan Championships doubles titles, an All Japan Indoor title, and singles gold at the East Asian Games. On the ITF Futures tour I've won 28 doubles titles and about three in singles.

I play professionally for Iyo Bank, and at the same time I coach the boys' team at Yanagawa High School.

I'm playing for Japan, so if I'm representing the country, the first goal is to win. That's something I really want to hold on to.

Our team includes active pros who haven't played seniors' events, and a player who retired only last year, so of course people will have opinions. That's exactly why we have to show it with results.

As for my game, my weapons are speed, tempo and accurate groundstrokes, so watch for those. Above all, I want to play exciting matches.

I don't have a set date for stopping. I want to keep playing as long as possible — that's how much I love playing tennis.

On top of that, I want to pass on what I learn as an active player — the latest information and experience — to the players I coach at Yanagawa High.

I think most people play tennis with an image they've formed from watching pros live and cheering them on.

So come and watch, take what you feel back into your own game, and enjoy a great tennis life.