Kei Nishikori has officially retired from tennis after playing the final match of his career at the Japan Open.
Nishikori announced that he would retire from tennis at his home tournament in Tokyo, where he is a two-time former champion.
Despite all of his injury struggles and inactivity on the ATP Tour in recent years, Nishikori put up an impressive display against Frances Tiafoe, before eventually being beaten by the second seed 6-4, 6-4.
After playing the final match of his career, Nishikori received messages from many top players, including Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz.
In a pre-prepared video, the likes of Djokovic, Alcaraz, Andy Murray and Tiafoe himself all paid tribute and shared their memories from Nishikori’s career.
Murray began, “I just want to send you a quick message to congratulate you on an amazing career…Amazing skills, phenomenal backhand, always loved competing against you on the court.”
Tiafoe said, “Kei Nishikori man, one of the best players of all time. True legend man…I hope you enjoy the second part of your life man, and let me hold a dollar too because you’ve made a lot of money in your career.”
Alcaraz added, “Thank you to you for making great memories for the tour, for your fans. I consider myself a fan…Congratulations for everything you’ve done, great career and wish you all the best in your new chapter.”
Alexander Zverev also had a message for Nishikori, “You’ve been such an inspiration to so many kids, to so many people back in Japan and all over the world…I wish you nothing but the best moving forward and the stories you are going to have. Inside tennis, outside tennis, you never know, maybe you will come back to this beautiful sport in one way or the other, but we will all miss you.”
World number nine Fils said, “You are a true role model for kids, as well as players. I watched you a lot when I was a kid, I would always say that this guy is a beast.”
Jack Draper then called Nishikori one of his favourite players growing up, “He’s been one of my favourite players growing up, thank you for inspiring a lot of the younger generation to play at the level we did.”
Taylor Fritz went on to recall a practice session he had with Nishikori when he was a teenager, “I remember the first time we hit, I was like 16 years old, I came out to hit with you.
“…I was so nervous, like a 16-year-old kid practicing with you, you were top five at the time. I remember the first couple of balls, I couldn’t hit a ball over the net or in the court, I was so nervous hitting with you. But we had lots of practices after that, it helped me a ton.”
Ben Shelton said, “To me an icon that you were in Japan, a ball-striker that lit up stadiums all around the world.”
Grigor Dimitrov claimed that Nishikori has the best ever two-handed backhand, “To me, probably the best two-hander. If anyone ever asked me I would say it’s you…Just wishing you all the best for everything you do after your career. Do everything you can and enjoy it to the maximum.”
Alex de Minaur was also full of admiration for Nishikori’s backhand, “I’ve studied your backhand for years and years and years, and I’ve played against it a couple of times, still in awe. I’ve told you to teach me, you won’t teach me, but hopefully once you’ve retired you’ll give me some tips…You are an absolute legend, all the best.”
Photo by Rie KIKUCHI / AFP via Getty Images
Djokovic then looked back on some of the matches he has played against Nishikori over the years, praising him for his resilience to keep coming back to the tour after undergoing three surgeries in his career.
“We had some great battles at the Grand Slams, other tournaments, all over the world,” said Djokovic. “Your resilience and your fighting spirit to always come back after all the adversity you had with your body, injuries and everything that you faced is really commendable and admirable.
Djokovic added, “I’m really glad you’re ending your career in your town, in your country, in front of your people. You’re definitely going to get the farewell and applause that you absolutely deserve. All the very best in retirement Kei.”
Former Roland Garros champion Michael Chang, who coached for Nishikori for 11 years, also paid tribute to his former player.
Chang said, “I still think the very best of Kei Nishikori is yet to come, so congratulations Kei and we are always cheering for you, and we wish you nothing but the best.”
Nishikori never got his hands on a Grand Slam title, but he did achieve many other great things in his tennis career.
This includes reaching a career-high ranking of world number four, which he achieved in 2015, as well as Nishikori winning 12 ATP titles.
Nishikori’s best Grand Slam result came at the 2014 US Open, when he reached the final before losing to Marin Cilic. Nishikori also claimed a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
- Career-high ranking: No.4
- ATP Titles won: 12
Best Grand Slam result: US Open final (2014)
Best Olympic result: Bronze medal (2016)
Best Grand Slam result: US Open final (2014)
Best Olympic result: Bronze medal (2016)
It is clear to see how much other players respect Nishikori, with the 36-year-old receiving messages from most of the top players in men’s tennis right now.
Nishikori will now step into the next period of his career, but he may remain within the sport as he has previously spoken about wanting to help other up-and-coming Asian players.
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