1. Overview
Akiko Morigami (森上 亜希子Morigami AkikoJapanese, born January 12, 1980) is a former Japanese professional tennis player. She turned professional on her 18th birthday in January 1998. Throughout her career, Morigami achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 41 on August 15, 2005, and a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 59 on July 30, 2007. She secured one singles title on the WTA Tour, winning the 2007 Prague Open, and one WTA doubles title at the 2003 Memphis Indoors. Notably, she upset then-world No. 3 Nadia Petrova in the first round of the 2006 French Open. Morigami represented Japan in various international competitions, including the Olympic Games, Fed Cup, and Asian Games, where she earned multiple medals. She retired from professional tennis after the 2009 Japan Open, with her final match at the All Japan Tennis Championships on November 12, 2009. Following her retirement, she has been active in tennis commentary and public appearances.
2. Life
Akiko Morigami's life journey includes her early years in Osaka, her introduction to tennis, and her eventual rise to professional status.
2.1. Birth and upbringing
Akiko Morigami was born on January 12, 1980, in Osaka, Japan. She resides in Tokyo, Japan. She stands at 5.5 ft (1.67 m) tall and weighs 123 lb (56 kg).
2.2. Childhood and education
Morigami began playing tennis at the age of seven. She was coached by Yuji Aoyama during her formative years.
2.3. Entry into tennis and professional debut
Morigami achieved significant success in her junior career, reaching the semifinals of the Wimbledon junior girls' singles tournament in 1997. She officially turned professional on January 12, 1998, her 18th birthday. Her debut in a Grand Slam main draw came at the 2003 Australian Open in 2003.
3. Major Activities and Achievements
Akiko Morigami's professional tennis career spanned over a decade, marked by various notable achievements in singles, doubles, and team competitions.
3.1. Professional Tennis Career
Morigami's professional journey saw her compete consistently on the WTA Tour and the ITF Circuit. She accumulated a career singles record of 286 wins and 243 losses, and a doubles record of 60 wins and 95 losses. Her total career prize money amounted to 1.18 M USD.
3.1.1. Singles Career
Morigami won one singles title on the WTA Tour. In May 2007, as the sixth seed, she clinched her maiden WTA singles title at the Prague Open in the Czech Republic, defeating top-seeded Marion Bartoli of France in the final with a score of 6-1, 6-3. She also reached two other singles finals, both at the Cincinnati Open in the United States. In July 2005, she lost to Patty Schnyder of Switzerland with a score of 4-6, 0-6. Two years later, in July 2007, she was defeated by Anna Chakvetadze of Russia with a score of 1-6, 3-6. A significant victory in her career was her first-round upset of then-world No. 3, Nadia Petrova, at the 2006 French Open, winning in straight sets 6-2, 6-2.
| Result | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | July 2005 | Cincinnati Open, United States | Hard | Switzerland Patty Schnyder | 4-6, 0-6 |
| Win | May 2007 | Prague Open, Czech Republic | Clay | France Marion Bartoli | 6-1, 6-3 |
| Loss | July 2007 | Cincinnati Open, United States | Hard | Russia Anna Chakvetadze | 1-6, 3-6 |
3.1.2. Doubles Career
Morigami won one doubles title on the WTA Tour. In February 2003, she partnered with fellow Japanese player Saori Obata to win the Memphis Indoors in the United States, defeating the team of Alina Jidkova and Bryanne Stewart 6-1, 6-1. She also reached one other doubles final at the same tournament in February 2007, partnering with Jarmila Gajdošová but losing to Nicole Pratt and Bryanne Stewart 5-7, 6-4, [5-10].
3.1.3. ITF Circuit
Morigami had a strong presence on the ITF Circuit, winning seven singles titles and three doubles titles.
- Singles (7 titles, 4 runner-ups)**
| Result | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 1. | 13 October 1996 | ITF Kugayama, Japan | Hard | Japan Shinobu Asagoe | 1-6, 6-3, 1-6 |
| Loss | 2. | 30 August 1999 | ITF Kuroshio, Japan | Hard | Australia Kerry-Anne Guse | 4-6, 3-6 |
| Win | 1. | 12 March 2000 | ITF Warrnambool, Australia | Grass | Australia Mireille Dittmann | 6-4, 5-7, 6-1 |
| Win | 2. | 26 March 2000 | ITF Wodonga, Australia | Grass | South Africa Mareze Joubert | 6-1, 6-1 |
| Win | 3. | 14 October 2001 | ITF Saga, Japan | Grass | Japan Nana Miyagi | 6-4, 7-5 |
| Win | 4. | 28 October 2001 | ITF Home Hill, Australia | Hard | Australia Mireille Dittmann | 0-6, 6-4, 6-1 |
| Win | 5. | 27 April 2003 | Dothan Pro Classic, United States | Clay | Venezuela Milagros Sequera | 6-3, 6-4 |
| Win | 6. | 6 June 2004 | Surbiton Trophy, United Kingdom | Grass | Russia Anna Chakvetadze | 6-4, 1-6, 6-1 |
| Loss | 3. | 22 February 2005 | ITF Saint Paul, United States | Hard (i) | United States Laura Granville | 2-6, 7-6, 2-6 |
| Loss | 4. | 7 February 2007 | Las Vegas Open, United States | Hard | Denmark Caroline Wozniacki | 3-6, 2-6 |
| Win | 7. | 4 November 2007 | ITF Taoyuan, Taiwan | Hard | Belgium Yanina Wickmayer | 6-4, 7-6(5) |
- Doubles (3 titles, 0 runner-ups)**
| Result | No. | Date | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1. | 11 June 2001 | ITF Tallinn, Estonia | Clay | Japan Miho Saeki | Russia Natalia Egorova Russia Ekaterina Sysoeva | 6-2, 7-6(7) |
| Win | 2. | 26 May 2002 | ITF Tallinn, Estonia | Clay | Japan Saori Obata | United States Teryn Ashley United States Kristen Schlukebir | 7-5, 7-6(2) |
| Win | 3. | 9 June 2006 | ITF Prostějov, Czech Republic | Clay | Australia Jarmila Gajdošová | Latvia Līga Dekmeijere Poland Alicja Rosolska | 6-3, 7-6(3) |
3.1.4. Grand Slam Results
Morigami participated in all four Grand Slam tournaments during her career. Her best singles result was reaching the third round of the 2005 French Open and the 2003 Wimbledon Championships and 2007 Wimbledon Championships. She reached the second round of the Australian Open four times (2003, 2004, 2007, 2008) and the US Open once (2004). In doubles, her best result was reaching the third round of the 2007 French Open and the 2006 US Open and 2007 US Open.
| Tournament | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | Career Win-Loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian Open | LQ | 2R | 2R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 2R | A | 4-6 |
| French Open | LQ | 1R | 1R | 3R | 2R | 1R | 1R | A | 3-6 |
| Wimbledon | LQ | 3R | 1R | 1R | 2R | 3R | A | 1R | 5-6 |
| US Open | LQ | 1R | 2R | 1R | 1R | A | A | 1-5 |
3.1.5. Olympic Participation
Morigami represented Japan at the 2004 Athens Olympics, competing in both the singles and doubles events. She was unable to participate in the 2008 Beijing Olympics due to a knee injury.
3.1.6. Fed Cup Participation
Morigami was a key member of the Japanese Fed Cup team, holding a strong record of 18 wins and 5 losses. She had to withdraw from the Fed Cup in April 2008 due to a worsening knee injury.
3.1.7. Asian Games Medals
Morigami earned multiple medals representing Japan at the Asian Games:
- Bronze Medal** at the 2002 Busan Asian Games in women's doubles.
- Silver Medal** at the 2006 Doha Asian Games in mixed doubles.
- Bronze Medal** at the 2006 Doha Asian Games in women's team competition.
4. Playing Style and Technique
Akiko Morigami played right-handed and was known for her two-handed backhand.
5. Rankings and Prize Money
Akiko Morigami achieved her career-high singles ranking of world No. 41 on August 15, 2005. Her career-high doubles ranking was world No. 59, achieved on July 30, 2007. Over her career, she earned a total of 1.18 M USD in prize money.
6. Post-Retirement Activities
After retiring from professional tennis, Akiko Morigami transitioned into various roles within the sports and media industries, while also focusing on her personal life.
6.1. Broadcasting and public activities
Since her retirement, Morigami has been active as a tennis commentator for broadcasts, and she participates in various events and lectures. She appeared on NHK's "Kaido Tekuteku Tabi" (Walking the Old Roads) in 2010, completing the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage route from Hachiken-hama in Osaka to Kumano Hongu Taisha in Wakayama (May-June) and from Tanabe City in Wakayama to Ise Grand Shrine in Mie (September-October). On December 15, 2010, she was a guest on NHK General's "Studio Park Kara Konnichiwa" (Hello from Studio Park).
6.2. Personal Life
On April 24, 2011, Akiko Morigami announced her marriage to Takaaki Achiha, the president of Achiha Co. She gave birth to their first child, a son, on November 10, 2011, and their second child, a daughter, on July 1, 2014.
7. Assessment and Impact
Akiko Morigami's career, marked by a WTA singles title, notable Grand Slam performances, and consistent representation of Japan in international team events, solidified her position as a significant figure in Japanese tennis. Her upset victory over a top-ranked player like Nadia Petrova showcased her capability to compete at the highest level. After retirement, her continued involvement in tennis commentary and public engagement has allowed her to maintain a connection with the sport and inspire future generations.