Shingo Kunieda's quest to win elusive Wimbledon title

The big picture: Kunieda, 38, lost the use of his legs to a tumor at age 9; by 22, he was ranked No. 1 in the world.

• He's won 27 Grand Slam singles titles (no other man has more than five) and 21 Grand Slam doubles titles, including three at Wimbledon even as the singles crown eludes him.
• "I wish very, very much to win [the singles title] and I will prepare … with everything in my power," Kunieda told the Wall Street Journal.

Between the lines: There's a reasonable explanation for Kunieda's goose egg at the All England Club: The singles event didn't exist until 2016.

• Grass and wheels don't mix well — it takes "three times more power" to push a chair along grass, says Kunieda — so organizers were hesitant to introduce a singles tournament.
• They reached a tipping point six years ago as the sport grew in popularity and players — who now use harder tires and larger front wheels on grass — got better.

The backdrop: Wheelchair tennis has been around since 1976 when a skier named Brad Parks was paralyzed.

• Parks and his therapist began playing tennis in specially designed chairs with the same rules that exist today: two bounces allowed.
• By 1985, the inaugural international event — the World Team Cup — was held with six teams. This year's Cup featured 44.

What to watch: Kunieda is part of an eight-man field playing for a $191,000 purse.