Akira Haseyama

Chairman President, Keio University

Keio University will host the "Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament 2018" and the "Keio Challenger Women's International Tennis Tournament 2018" this March. It is a great pleasure to host a tournament where many rising stars from around the globe participate at Keio University, home to the tennis team which has a history of over a century. Having a history of 8 tournaments, many players who have played in this tournament are showing amazing results, including Yuichi Sugita, former Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament champion. I hope that in this tournament, players will be able to perform the outcomes of their daily practice and achieve unprecedented results, so that this tournament will lead the players to an even higher level. The uniqueness of this tournament is the fact that the tournament is mainly run by members of the Keio University Tennis Team. While balancing academic and sports, students have created this tournament from scrap with their innovative ideas. To make this tournament more worthy, last year, they have started to host the women’s tournament and this year, they have increased the total prize money for the men’s tournament to 75000 USD. While I am proud with their spirit of doing their best in both study and practice, on behalf of Keio University, I would like to thank all the sponsoring companies including Mizuno cooperation for their understanding and kind support for this tournament. Last but not least, I hope the enthusiasm of tennis would spread even more from "Mamushidani" tennis court, Hiyoshi Campus, and also hope that this tournament will provide a big influence to the tennis society in Japan.

Kohei M.Itoh

Vice Chairman of the Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament 2018 President of the Keio Univ

It is our pleasure to to host the Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament 2018.  Keio University has been hosting this tournament since 2007 thanks to the efforts of stakeholders and the generous supports by many sponsor companies. I am especially grateful to this year’s sponsors as well as everyone involved including Keio Tennis Team Alumni Association.   This event provides excellent opportunities to witness the cutting edge tennis skills and feel the spirit of the young rising stars who are determined to become next Roger Federer.  The Tournament is unique for it is operated mainly by the Keio University Tennis Team students and other student volunteers.  Please enjoy the official merchandise and related events planned and operated by the students. I am confident that this Tournament will not only stimulate the Japanese tennis society but will also contribute greatly to the advancement of Japanese collegiate tennis. Enjoy the show !

Takeshi Kurioka

Executive Director President of Keio University Tennis Team Alumni Mita Club

Following last year, Keio University will host the "Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament 2018" and the "Keio Challenger Women's International Tennis Tournament 2018" this March. Hosting both tournaments last year, I strongly felt that not only the men's tournament, but also the women’s ITF circuit has become a road which leads to the world for players playing both domestically and internationally. I would like to thank all the people involved in holding this tournament for supporting us to hold this tournament this year. It is now less than 3 years until the Tokyo Olympics. Players entering this tournament are young rising stars and the Olympic game is one tournament which they are desperate to participate. I hope that this tournament would become one step for the players to gain ATP points which would lead them to play in top levels, such as the Olympics and Grand Slams. Same as last year, everyone involved in holding this tournament are ready to show you one of the hottest tennis matches you would ever see. Finally, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Mizuno corporation and all the other sponsors for their kind support for the Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament.

Toshiaki Sakai

Tournament Director Chief Coach of Keio University Tennis Team

I am sincerely grateful to announce that we would be hosting "Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament 2018" with the cooperation and kind support by many sponsor companies and everyone involved in this tournament. Keio Challenger International Tennis Tournament is the only ATP Challenger tour held in Japan which is run by students. Thus, the imagination and challenging spirit students have, differentiates this tournament from other ATP Challenger tours. Having a history of 9 years, I am proud about the fact that players such as Borna Coric from Croatia, Pierre-Hugues Herbert from France, Hyeon Chung from South Korea, and John Millman from Australia have come to Japan and played at Keio University Hiyoshi Campus' "Mamushidani" tennis court. By looking at these players compete against top level tennis players in Grand Slams, I strongly feel that this tournament is on a road leading to world level tennis. In addition, Japanese players such as Tatsuma Ito, Yuichi Sugita, Taro Daniel, and Yoshihito Nishioka have ranked top 100 by going through this tournament and as a tournament director, we can not be happier and prouder about them. I strongly hope that this tournament would be a great opportunity for the players to pursue their dreams, and provide a positive influence to the Japanese tennis society.