Kei Nishikori, Japan’s tennis star, is gradually returning to top-level tennis after struggling with injuries for several years. Approaching the age of 35, the bronze medalist from the Rio 2016 Olympics has not competed fully since his last win in Brisbane in January 2019, and he is currently ranked 200 in the world. However, Nishikori hasn’t given up on his dreams and continues his journey of perseverance.
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Having participated in five Olympic Games and once reaching the world No. 4 spot in men’s tennis, Nishikori has never stopped fighting. “I think about giving up every week, but I still believe I can make it into the top 100,” Nishikori shared at Ariake Colosseum in Tokyo as he returned to the Japan Open for the first time in six years.
Nishikori admits he still makes simple mistakes and needs to improve his play during crucial points, especially when facing top 10 players. “If I can fix those issues, I think I still have a chance to beat them. However, it’s unclear how long it will take—it could take forever, or it could be tomorrow, so I’m still keeping hope.”
Relentless Effort Despite Injuries
Injuries started to take a toll on Nishikori after the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he lost to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals. Issues with his groin, ankle, knee, and shoulder forced Nishikori into extended absences from the tour. Since his last appearance at Indian Wells in October 2021, Nishikori only returned to compete at the Challenger event in Puerto Rico in June 2023 and the ATP event in Miami in March 2024.
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Although he returned to the Paris 2024 Olympics, Nishikori did not achieve the expected success and was knocked out in the first round in Chengdu last week. Two of the four top male players who dominated tennis during Nishikori’s prime have retired, while Rafael Nadal appears to be nearing the end of his career. Yet, Nishikori has not given up.
“I’ve been away quite a lot, and over 17 years, there have been times I didn’t play much. For me, that time didn’t feel so long,” Nishikori said. “I’ve gained a lot of experience through all that, which I think has helped me. I hope I can show some of that here.”
A Memorable Rematch Against Marin Cilic
Returning to the Japan Open, Nishikori will face Marin Cilic in a rematch of the 2014 US Open final—the only Grand Slam final of his career. Cilic, also just back from injury, won that match 6-3.
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Nishikori said this match brings back many memories and regrets. “If I had to pick a match I regret, it would probably be that final with Cilic,” he said. “Not just because I lost, but because I didn’t play well on that big stage.”
However, Nishikori also acknowledged that losing the Grand Slam final pushed him to work even harder. “If I had won that match, maybe I would have had a big head and my career could have stalled. Losing that final definitely motivated me to push harder.”
Continuing with Hope and Determination
Though he may no longer be at the peak of his career, Nishikori remains determined and continues to fight relentlessly. He is not just a pride of Japanese tennis but also a model of perseverance. Nishikori hopes that his matches at the Japan Open will help him regain his form and continue his journey in the tennis world.
No matter how challenging the journey may be, Nishikori remains a warrior who never gives up. He is not only battling opponents on the court but also fighting against himself, constantly pushing forward to prove that his dreams are still within reach.
