US OPEN

September 12, 2026

Yui Kamiji

Press Conference

Y. KAMIJI/D. de Groot

6-2, 1-6, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Congratulations on the victory. Your thoughts on your accomplishment today?

YUI KAMIJI: Yes, of course, I'm very, very happy. In the first set I had good timing and have confidence, but as always, she came back to play better and better, and she pushed me a lot. She had good timing, and she managed to play better.

But lastly, I just focus how I create the ball to make her off, and I think it worked. So I'm happy with my performance.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. Congratulations on the win. You said yesterday you thought it would be a much different match than Wimbledon when you beat her 6-0, 6-0. What was she doing better today, especially in that second set, that was really giving you problems?

YUI KAMIJI: I think she create more space, like higher ball and spinny ball, and she mix it. She had more time to come in front of the baseline, and I had to stay at the back, which is little bit tough to make winner, especially against her.

Yeah, at Wimbledon, because we both struggled for movement, so I didn't go in back at the Wimbledon, but here has space. The surface is smooth to move, so I choose to going to the back.

Then she had more time, so yeah, that's I think how she wanted to do.

Q. You said ahead of the tournament that you had taken, like, one of your longest periods of time off beforehand. I guess how does it feel like knowing that taking that time off and getting to spend some time with friends and family, like, really worked, and are you happy with that decision? Did you feel refreshed coming back? How was that?

YUI KAMIJI: Yeah, I'm happy my decision, and even if I couldn't win today, I'm still happy, because I wanted to have that time with my lovely people.

And here I could win, so another celebration. Happy moment with my family and friend. Yeah, I'm really happy.

Q. Just what does this accomplishment mean to you as compared to other times that you've won the US Open? Does this feel any different having won this tournament before today?

YUI KAMIJI: Yes, as I speak on the court, this year is 50-years anniversary for wheelchair tennis. Early this week I could see many of legends players, including Japanese Shingo Kunieda. It was really nice to meet them and talk with them.

I already knew it, but facing to them, more -- I don't know how to say in English, but I more appreciate feeling more and more them before than I thought. Also, I wanted to speak about that on the court.

This is another reason why I wanted to win, so yeah, I'm really honored to speak about that.

Q. To honor them?

YUI KAMIJI: Yeah.

Q. Winning both titles, and you've done that before, but does it ever get less exciting to lift those trophies?

YUI KAMIJI: Always special and happy moment when I get title and when I could win, so different meaning. So this year, because of the 50-years anniversary, because just after Wimbledon title, and for doubles, me and Zhenzhen never win together at US Open, so this is very, like, fresh moment, yeah.