Shunrou Takeshima

Hello everyone, I'm Shunrou Takeshima. I started tennis when I was about four or five.

As a child I won the national primary school championships, and as a junior I won the All Japan Junior doubles. After turning pro in 2013 at 23, I won the National Sports Festival twice, reached the doubles quarter-finals at the All Japan Championships, and won international doubles titles among others.

I'm now with JITC and play mainly in Japan.

Of course I'm aiming for the title. And I really want lots of people to come and cheer — I'd love the stands to be full.

I'm very much a baseliner, so watch for how I rally patiently and then pick my moment to come in. If you notice 'that's where he goes forward', I'll be happy.

Top pros who succeed overseas become famous and get media coverage. But I want players competing in Japan below that level to earn more too — not quite like a J.League footballer, but to show that you can make a real living as a pro in Japan.

That would bring more tennis fans and more kids wanting to turn pro. Right now many players have the ability but can't afford to compete internationally. I hope we can get to a point where players earn properly at home and can then take on the world.

Tennis is a sport everyone from small children to older people can enjoy — it's truly a lifelong sport. I hope we build a tennis world where people improve their own game and also enjoy watching and supporting others. Please keep loving tennis.