In July 2025, three NEC Europe employees, Elizabeth Brown, Edward Bumbry, and Ai Kawabe, visited Wimbledon, known worldwide as the “holy ground of tennis.” For Elizabeth, who grew up as a tennis fan in Ireland, Wimbledon had long been a special place, deeply rooted in her heart as the “highlight of summer” since childhood. 

Among the Grand Slam tournaments, Wimbledon is the only one held on grass courts. While watching the players perform so dynamically on grass, all three were deeply moved.

“Seeing the players’ determination and talent right in front of me, it was easy to see how each of them had overcome the challenges to appear on this stage. It was incredibly moving.” (Elizabeth)

“It was great to be able to visit again this year. I feel a strong connection between the tournament’s support for wheelchair tennis and NEC’s commitment to creating a society where everyone can play an active role, as expressed in the NEC Way value ‘Encourage Openness. Stimulate the Growth of All.’” (Edward)

“When I first watched wheelchair tennis, I was deeply impressed by the players’ athleticism and dedication. Since then, every time I come to the venue, the high level of play and the excitement remain unchanged, and I feel newly inspired each time.” (Ai)

Ai also describes Wimbledon as a place that offers an experience beyond just tennis. She notes that enjoying court tours, picnics, and immersing oneself in the atmosphere of the entire venue are also part of its appeal. 

The scent of the grass, the challenges faced by the players, and the energy of the crowd—all of these together told the story of why Wimbledon is called a “special stage.”

As a player, the cheers of the crowd can ignite one’s competitive spirit; as a spectator, the power of the play can be overwhelming. Kunieda says that wheelchair tennis has a unique ability to move people in both ways.

— During your playing career, was there a moment when the cheers of the crowd gave you a real boost and significantly changed the flow of a match or your mindset? Are there any scenes or episodes that left a strong impression?
It was when I competed at Wimbledon for the first time, in 2006. At the time, wheelchair tennis was held only as a doubles event, but the final was played in front of a full crowd, on a court that probably seated around 2,000 people. Until then, I had only played on nearly empty courts, so I vividly remember how moved I was by that atmosphere. I went on to win the tournament, but as match point approached, I found myself thinking that I wanted to keep playing there just a little longer. After that experience, one of my goals became to play in front of full stands in Japan as well. Wanting to deliver high-level play that audiences could truly enjoy became a core motivation that supported my entire athletic career.

— What do you think is the appeal of watching wheelchair tennis? What are some highlights or ways of enjoying the sport that would encourage general spectators to come to the court.

The appeal of wheelchair tennis is that it can be enjoyed both as tennis and as a sport with its own unique characteristics. For those familiar with tennis, the techniques and tactics, such as serves, forehands, and backhands, can be appreciated just as they are in the conventional game. At the same time, it can also be seen as a different sport, because traditional footwork is replaced by “chair work,” which involves maneuvering the wheelchair. This requires extremely precise control and technique. One of the most exciting moments, sometimes even more thrilling than in regular tennis, is when a player reaches a ball that seems impossible to get to. I encourage everyone to experience that intensity firsthand by watching a match live.