Shintaro Mochizuki, the 2019 Boys’ Singles champion, made a long-awaited breakthrough on the senior stage with a gritty five-set victory over Giulio Zeppieri in the opening round of a Grand Slam. After falling behind by two sets and staring down elimination, the 21-year-old Japanese player clawed his way back into the match, eventually triumphing 2-6, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(6), 7-5.
The early stages of the match offered little hope for Mochizuki, who struggled to find rhythm as Zeppieri dictated play with his lefty forehand and heavy topspin. But just as the match seemed to be slipping away, the former junior champion steadied his nerves and began to turn the tide. With more aggressive court positioning and a newfound confidence behind his serve, Mochizuki snatched the third set to breathe life into his campaign.
The win not only marks his first at this level but also signals a potential turning point in his professional journey. Having carried the promise of junior success for several years, Mochizuki now has a foothold in the world of top-tier tennis—a reward for his perseverance and evolving game.
For fans in Japan and around the world, it was a moment of hope and pride, watching a player once tipped for greatness finally begin to carve his path under the brightest lights.
Mochizuki in Wimbledon, ranking, and results in 2025
At the moment ranked no.144, Mochizuki owns a compiled 28-16 win-loss record in 2025. The Japanese is currently competing in Wimbledon where he bested the world no.127 Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-1 6-1, the world no.145 Felipe Meligeni Alves 6-3 6-3, the world no.238 Dominic Stricker 7-6(3) 3-6 6-2 6-4 and the world no.351 Giulio Zeppieri 2-6 3-6 6-3 7-6(6) 7-5.
Shintaro Mochizuki will take on the world no.20 Karen Khachanov in the 2nd round. They have never played each other up to now in top tournaments.
Shintaro has won 1 title in 2025 in the Noumea Challenger. The Japanese was the finalist in the Bengaluru Challenger and in the Nottingham 2 Challenger.