Jade Lanai
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| Full name | Jade Lanai Oliveira Moreira |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) | Brazil |
| Residence | Brasília, Federal District |
| Born | October 15, 2004 Palmas, Tocantins |
| Turned pro | 2023 |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Official website | www.jadelanai.com.br |
| Singles | |
| Highest ranking | No. 37 (November 6, 2023) |
| Current ranking | No. 43 (September 23, 2024) |
| Doubles | |
| Highest ranking | No. 35 (April 17, 2023) |
| Current ranking | No. 49 (September 23, 2024) |
| Last updated on: September 23, 2024. | |
Jade Lanai Oliveira Moreira (born October 15, 2004, in Palmas, Brazil) is a Brazilian Paralympic wheelchair tennis player who represents her country in various international competitions. She has won significant titles in junior circuits, such as the US Open Wheelchair Juniors in both singles and doubles. She is known for her determination to overcome physical challenges and succeed in the sport.[1]
Jade Lanai was born in Palmas, Tocantins, and raised in Brasília, Federal District. Since birth, she has lived with myelomeningocele, a neural tube defect that caused paraplegia. Despite these challenges, Jade found a path to success through wheelchair tennis, becoming an internationally recognized athlete.[2]
Her journey often required financial support through crowdfunding campaigns, such as selling T-shirts to fund her participation in international tournaments in Europe and the United States.[1]
Career
2021
In September 2021, Jade was part of Brazil's junior team, which debuted with a victory at the Wheelchair Tennis World Cup in Loughborough, England. This marked a pivotal moment in her career as she began gaining international recognition.[3]
Later that year, Jade participated in an international wheelchair tennis tournament in Santos, where she advanced in the ITF International Circuit, standing out as a young talent in the sport.[4]
2022
In 2022, Jade competed in the inaugural US Open Wheelchair Junior tournament, becoming the only Brazilian representative in the competition. This event elevated her career to an international level, establishing her as one of Brazil's leading young prospects in the sport.[5]
Jade made history by becoming the first champion of the US Open Wheelchair Junior in both singles and doubles in September 2022, an achievement widely covered by the media.[6][7]
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2023
At the beginning of 2023, Jade was honored with the Paralympic Award in the “Breakthrough Athlete” category, one of the highest recognitions for Paralympic athletes in Brazil.[8]
In March 2023, she participated in a series of tournaments in Colombia, including events in Cali and Bogotá, which played a vital role in her development as an elite athlete.[9]
In July 2023, she represented Brazil in the Wheelchair Tennis World Cup in Prostejov, Czech Republic, where the Brazilian team had notable performances, including competing for the bronze medal.[10][11]
In September 2023, Jade competed for a spot in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, participating in multiple national and international competitions to secure her position in this prestigious event.[12][13]
2024
In March 2024, Jade was a highlight at the International Wheelchair Tennis Tournament held in Brasília. The event featured eight top-100 world-ranked players and served as preparation for the most important competitions of the year, including the Paralympic race.[14]
That same year, Jade also competed in the Brasília Champions Wheelchair 2024, which brought renowned Paralympic athletes to Brazil's capital. This event marked another opportunity for Jade to stand out among the best athletes in the world. This tournament, which was held in September 2024, took place alongside the Brasília Champions Legends 2024, which brought together great stars of world tennis, such as Fernando Verdasco, and brought even more visibility to wheelchair tennis and the career of the Brazilian athlete.[15][16]
2025
In January 2025, the Brazilian Tennis Confederation announced that Lanai would be part of the Brazilian team at the 2025 BNP Paribas World Team Cup – Americas Qualification Event, that was scheduled to take place in Cuenca, Ecuador, from the 17th of February to the 21st of the same month.[17][18][19]
Lanai, along with her teammates, showcased outstanding performances during the qualification event in Cuenca, Ecuador. Her skill and determination were key factors in securing the Brazilian women's wheelchair tennis team's place in the prestigious World Cup.
The Brazilian team's success in Ecuador, particularly Lanai's contributions, was significant not only in terms of qualification but also in boosting the visibility of Brazilian wheelchair tennis on the international stage. Lanai's strong showing was a testament to her dedication and the rapid progress of wheelchair tennis in Brazil.
The victory in the Americas Qualification Event confirmed the Brazilian women's wheelchair tennis team's qualification for the 2025 Wheelchair Tennis World Cup. Lanai's performances were a central part of the team's success, and her inclusion was instrumental in the team's overall achievement.
With the qualification secured, Jade Lanai and the Brazilian team now look ahead to the 2025 Wheelchair Tennis World Cup. Lanai's participation in the sport is expected to continue her career development, and she will be among the athletes competing as Brazil participating on the global stage.[20][21][22]