イメージ

Naoko SatoNaoko Sato

Former professional tennis player

  • Date of Birth 12/1/1955
  • Place of birth Tokyo
  • Belongs to Japan Professional Tennis Association
  • Links

Profile

Thanks to her tennis loving parents, she got her racket when she was small and special training. When she was 12, she won the Japan under 15 tournament. She started to play on the world tour aged 16. In the girls’ single category, she got excellent results, a victory at the Canadian tournament, a third place at the French Open and, made it to the quarter final at Wimbledon.

She won the high school student’s singles in the Japan indoor championships. Before her high school graduation, over 100 prizes were already accumulated at her home. She ended her player’s career as a professional in 1977. She had obtained excellent results, the quarter final of women’s singles at the Australian Open and the victory in doubles. Her record participation over 17 years in Wimbledon has not yet been equalled in Japan.

Although she retired from competitions as a professional player, she keeps everyday tennis practices. She is actively doing tennis clinic and gives lectures all over Japan to promote sports and a healthy way of living.

In 2011 she has been appointed to the chair of the Japan Professional Tennis Association. She promotes tennis to the next generations.

Back to page top