Given the current tennis landscape, aspiring Japanese players are not short of role models and Natsumi Kawaguchi is one who can look to the achievements of compatriots Kei Nishikori and Naomi Osaka for added motivation.

Nishikori and Osaka are not the only influential figures for Kawaguchi, but they are not bad starting points for a player with designs on following in the footsteps of the two trailblazers, who have made history on numerous occasions for the nation of their birth.

A matter of months before reaching the US Open final in 2014, Nishikori became the first Japanese player to break into the world’s Top 10, while he currently occupies the No. 8 spot following a flurry of Grand Slam quarter-final appearances this season.

The achievements of Osaka need no introduction, with the 22-year-old assuming the status of Japan’s first Grand Slam singles champion with victory at the 2018 US Open and following that by triumphing at this year’s Australian Open.

Nishikori and Osaka also became the first Japanese players to reach the semi-finals of the same Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows last year, and while Kawaguchi has some way to go to emulate such achievements, the blueprint for success is there.

“I didn't know much about Osaka until recently, but to see her play and the way she handles herself is a great inspiration,” Kawaguchi, who is ranked No. 10 in the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings presented by IMG Academy, told itftennis.com.

“I have been watching Nishikori for many years as we come from the same sponsorship programme. Seeing him being successful gives me hope that one day I will be there also.”

It is not just the likes of Nishikori and Osaka who are a source of encouragement for upcoming players from the Land of the Rising Sun. The prospect of tennis being showcased at next year’s Olympic Games in Tokyo is proving both exciting and meaningful.

“It’s great to see the country come together to put on a great show. Representing your country on such a huge stage would be out of this world,” said Kawaguchi.

The future of Japanese tennis would appear to be bubbling nicely. Shintaro Mochizuki was crowned Wimbledon boys’ champion in the summer, while he also starred as Japan sealed Junior Davis Cup by BNP Paribas glory in September.

Kawaguchi has played her part on the Grand Slam stage also, with the 17-year-old sealing victory in the doubles alongside Hungary’s Adrienn Nagy at the Australian Open Junior Championships in January, defeating American pair Chloe Beck and Emma Navarro in the final.

In doing so, Kawaguchi made a history by becoming the first ever Japanese girl to claim Junior Grand Slam doubles silverware and the first to triumph at a Junior Grand Slam since Kazuko Sawamatsu’s singles win at the 1969 Roland Garros Junior Championships.

“Winning the Australian Open doubles was a big thing and easily the standout moment of my season,” added Kawaguchi. “It was my first Grand Slam main draw appearance and to win will always be special. My partner, Adrienn, is great and a good friend. I made a place in history by winning.”

Kawaguchi’s most prominent displays this year, including winning JA Milan alongside Nagy, have come in doubles competition, although she did taste victory in the singles at W15 Cancun in April.

The left-hander will bid to add to her singles statistics when she features in the girls’ draw at the ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals, which take place on 23-27 October, while there is potential for a Japanese clean sweep with Mochizuki in the boys’ division.

“From where I started to where I am at now is a great feeling. My results have been good but I would like more singles victories,” said Kawaguchi. “I have had some great partners in doubles so I have had better results. I won a 15K event in singles this year so I know I can do it. I just want more. I want it all.

“Finishing my season winning the ITF Junior Finals would be incredible. It would be an amazing reward for all the hard work and for being away from my family and living in the US. Qualifying was one of my goals for this year and winning would be amazing.

“I have learned that through hard work and focus I can accomplish many things. It is important never to give up and to trust my team. These lessons will stay with me even after my tennis career is over.”

During the build-up to this year's ITF World Tennis Tour Junior Finals, which take place between 23-27 October, an interview with each player competing in Chengdu will appear on www.itftennis.com and the ITF's social media channels. There will also be articles featuring former winners of and participants at the event.