Wheelchair tennis player Shingo Kunieda, winner of 28 Grand Slams and four Paralympic Games gold medals, could become the latest recipient of Japan's People's Honour Award after announcing his retirement ©Getty Images

Japanese wheelchair tennis great Shingo Kunieda is to become the first Paralympic athlete to be given the People's Honour Award in his home country, shortly after calling time on his illustrious career.

The Japanese Government is considering bestowing the accolade on the 28-time Grand Slam singles champion and four-time Paralympic gold medallist, according to the country's press agency Kyodo News.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida has allowed the relevant Ministries to determine if he will be given the award, according to the Government's spokesperson Hirokazu Matsuno.

Matsuno claimed that Kunieda's achievements provided "hope and courage to society", and later Kishida told reporters that his accomplishments were "unprecedented", stating his intention to have him recognised.

Kunieda also has the most men's doubles Grand Slam titles, with 22 in total.

Shingo Kunieda picked winning the Paralympic Games gold medal at Tokyo 2020 as his career highlight ©Getty Images
Shingo Kunieda picked winning the Paralympic Games gold medal at Tokyo 2020 as his career highlight ©Getty Images

Kunieda retired while sitting top of the world rankings in the men's singles, but lost his last Grand Slam to Britain's Alfie Hewett at the 2022 US Open in New York City last September.

With the Paralympic gold medal and four consecutive Grand Slams from the 2021 US Open to the 2022 Wimbledon, Kunieda won the Golden Slam.

Since it was established in 1977, the People's Honour Award has been given to 26 individuals and one group for achievements in sports, entertainment and culture.

Two-time figure skating Olympic gold medallist Yuzuru Hanyu was the latest recipient in 2018.

Japan's women's national football team were honoured in 2011 after winning the FIFA Women's World Cup that same year.

Women's marathon gold medallist at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, Naoko Takahashi, received the award too and would later go on to break the world record.

Renowned manga artist Machiko Hasegawa and world-famous film director Akira Kurosawa were both posthumously honoured.

Two-time Olympic figure skating gold medallist Yuzuru Hanyu was the last person to be given the award, back in 2018 ©Getty Images
Two-time Olympic figure skating gold medallist Yuzuru Hanyu was the last person to be given the award, back in 2018 ©Getty Images

During his retirement press conference, the 38-year-old Kunieda claimed he had no regrets about retiring.

"I can clearly tell fans that I had the best tennis career," said Kunieda, Kyodo News reported.

"Winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics was the best moment of my career. 

"I still get emotional when I look at pictures from that time."

Kunieda spent 582 weeks - over 11 years - of his career as men's singles world number one.