NEC, a multinational provider of information technology services and products based in Japan, has been title sponsor of the ITF's year-end wheelchair championship for more than 20 years and a sponsor of the Wheelchair Tennis Tour since its inception in 1992.

In 2001, the company was honoured by the ITF with the prestigious Philippe Chatrier Award, which recognises long and outstanding service to the game of tennis.

The Award is named after the late former French player, who went on to become a journalist and President of both the ITF and French Tennis Federation after his career on the court had come to an end.

"The ITF has been partnered successfully with NEC for over 35 years and we thank them for their ongoing support as a dedicated and enthusiastic partner of the ITF's wheelchair tennis activities," said ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.

Japan's Shingo Kunieda is the reigning men's ITF Wheelchair Tennis Masters champion ©Getty Images



The NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters, which brings together the top eight men and women and the top four quad athletes, took place at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London last November. 

Reigning men and women's champions, Japan's Shingo Kunieda and The Netherlands' Aniek van Koot, will defend their titles at the same venue this year with the next two editions scheduled to take place there.

The ITF Wheelchair Tennis Tour comprises of more than 160 tournaments spanning 40 countries and offers $2 million (£1.3 million/€1.8 million) in prize money.

"NEC is proud and excited to continue its support of the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters and the Tour tournaments that enable athletes from all over the world to showcase their skills," said Takashi Niino, NEC Corporation senior executive vice-president.

"NEC will continue making efforts to draw attention to the skill and power of these world-class athletes."

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