Nishikori cites injuries for decision to retire at end of season

Japan’s former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori revealed Sunday that his declining motivation due to mounting injuries lay behind his decision to draw the curtain on his career.

The first Japanese player to advance to the final of a Grand Slam at the 2014 U.S. Open, Nishikori was attending a press conference for the first time since his announcement in late April that he is retiring at the end of the season.

“It crossed my mind for the first time (after a tournament last August),” the 36-year-old said. “I had pain in three, four parts of my body and I found myself unable to make up my mind to regain my physical condition in order to battle again (on the court).”

The Shimane Prefecture native had left hip surgery in January 2022 and remained troubled with other injuries after his competitive return in June 2023.

“I was having heavy feet going to practice and training. I hadn’t had that at all until then and the idea (to retire) crossed my mind,” said Nishikori, who revealed he really struggled this past year.

Nishikori reached world No. 4, the highest rank for a Japanese man in the Open era, in March 2015 and beat Rafael Nadal to win bronze in the men’s singles at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, claiming Japan’s first Olympic medal in tennis in 96 years.

Nishikori will be competing Monday in the first round of the Mubadala DC Open, his first tournament since his retirement announcement, and a monthlong rest around April has helped his tired body to recover.

“I’ve been able to practice without holding back and I’m getting better feeling,” Nishikori said. “It’s great that I can sense I’m starting to like tennis again as I approach my finale.”

© KYODO