Rei Sakamoto's Racquet - Player Profile

Rei Sakamoto is a young Japanese player that is starting to make an impact on the ATP Challenger and Tour circuits. What is Sakamoto’s racquet setup?

Rei Sakamoto’s tennis racquet

Rei Sakamoto’s racquet is a Yonex Ezone 98 strung with a full bed of Yonex Polytour Pro. It is most likely an older version painted “Blast Blue” and not the current one. If you have more information about Rei Sakamoto’s racquet and string tension, please let us know in the comments.

Bio and Career

Sakamoto has shown some serious developments in the junior ranks, eventually achieving the World No. 1 ITF Junior Ranking (May 2024).

2024 Australian Open Boys’ Singles Champion: He became the first Japanese player to win an Australian Open junior singles title.
2024 US Open Boys’ Doubles Champion: He won the title partnering Maxim Mrva.
He cites fellow Japanese player Kei Nishikori as an idol.

Professional Career Highlights

Sakamoto’s transition to the professional tour has been quick, marked by several milestones already:

ATP Challenger Tour Success: He has won two ATP Challenger singles titles:
- 2024 Yokkaichi Challenger (Japan): At 18 years and five months, he became the second youngest Japanese titlist after Kei Nishikori to win an ATP Challenger trophy, entering the Top 500 as a result.
- 2025 Cary Tennis Classic (US): He won his second Challenger title, getting him toward the Top 200.
ATP Tour Level Debut: He has made his Masters main draw debut at the 2025 Miami Open as a qualifier and also played in the main draw at the 2025 Shanghai Masters as a wildcard/qualifier.
Grand Slam Qualifying: He has participated in qualifying for Grand Slams, reaching the Q2 round at the 2025 US Open.

Sakamoto possesses a good combination of high ball speed with variety and creative shots, such as slices and drop shots. He often celebrates victories by miming the unsheathing of a samurai’s sword, an act he adopted that signifies a “samurai” or “warrior” mindset.