Overcoming the relentless adversity with astonishing mental strength and a high level of skill, the 18-year-old Japanese ace—now unquestionably one of the world’s best—captured the title in Yokohama alongside her older brother, Tomokazu. She opens up about what was going on behind the scenes of the hard-fought matches in Yokohama, and what was in her heart. ＜September 2026＞
Miwa Harimoto
Born June 16, 2008, from Miyagi Prefecture. She picked up a racket at age two under the influence of her parents, both former members of the Chinese national team. At her first Olympic appearance in Paris, she won a silver medal in the women’s team event. In the 2026 All Japan Championships, she won her first Singles title and also completed a four-title sweep with the junior, women’s Doubles, and mixed Doubles titles. She won the Singles title at WTT Champions Yokohama in August. World No. 3 (as of September 7)
When she watched the live draw from her travel destination, “my happy mood suddenly sank”
Despite the composed presence she shows on court, inside she was constantly facing anxiety and inner conflict.
Matchups against players she struggles with, and pressure from Chinese players. Even as she seemed on the verge of being crushed by one trial after another, Miwa Harimoto kept chasing the Ball until the very end. What kept her going in the midst of the battle were the warm cheers echoing through the venue, and her thoughts of her parents and her older brother.
Beyond any technical progress, Harimoto also took another step forward as a person, and now she puts into words both the conflict hidden beneath the joy and her straightforward gratitude to the fans who supported her.
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●―Congratulations on winning WTT Champions Yokohama. It has been a little while, but what kind of tournament was it for you?
Miwa Harimoto (HM) First of all, I was truly happy that I was able to win. Before the tournament, I never thought I could win it. Since it was being held in Japan, I didn’t really want to face another Japanese Player early on. In particular, Hashimoto Player (Honoka / Denso) was an Opponent I didn’t feel very confident against, so once the draw was decided and I learned I’d be facing Hashimoto Player in the first round, I felt heavy-footed all the way until I got to the venue in Yokohama.
●―You found out about the draw while you were playing in the T League in Fukuoka, right?
HM Yes. I was in Fukuoka for the T League, so I couldn’t go to the venue in person, and while I was watching the draw on You Tube live, they said my Opponent was “No. 9.” I was wondering who that could be, and then Hashimoto’s name came up. I was like, “Oh no…”
And that day, our team won in the T League, so I was really happy. I had also just won in the Victory Match for the first time in a while, so I was super happy, but it all just suddenly sank. I couldn’t even go home in a happy mood, and I spent the time thinking, “What am I going to do?”
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