Career over? No way! The former world number four returns to the ATP circuit

Health is the basis of everything. The former ATP number four player could talk about it. What made Kei Nishikori consider ending his career? And what are his goals for this year?

Kei Nishikori knows what it’s like to play in a grand slam final. In 2014, he reached the final of the US Open. Before that, he managed to beat Novak Djokovic, but he was no match for Croatian Cilic in the final. Nevertheless, he achieved the success of his life.

At the New York Major, he played twice more in the semi-finals, making this Grand Slam his most successful major tennis event. In the ATP rankings, he reached the world number four position. In this respect, he holds the record for Japanese men’s tennis.

But then health problems intervened in the career of the now thirty-three-year-old tennis player. And for quite a long time.

Surgery, rehabilitation and other problems

Nishikori finally decided to solve his long-term hip problems with surgery. After eight months of rehabilitation, his return to the courts was imminent, but a new injury came. Seemingly not too serious.

The Japanese tennis player sprained his ankle, but the problem turned out to be more complicated than it first appeared. Nishikori’s return to the courts was once again fading into the distance. The Olympic bronze medalist even brought up the subject of the end of his career.

But Nishikori overcame those gloomy thoughts and has been back on the tennis courts since the beginning of the summer. He got into the match rhythm at three Challengers and with the tour moving to North American soil, he is starting to get involved in top-class tournaments.

Restarting his career

In Atlanta last week, he made it through to the quarterfinals. There, he fell to Taylor Fritz, later the winner of the event. “I’m happy to be back. I don’t feel any pressure and I can play freely,” the Japanese described his current attitude towards the results.

An ATP 500-level tournament is now on the cards in the US capital. Nishikori will meet South African Harris in the first round. An acceptable start from his point of view.

“He never stopped seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” praises Nishikori Max Mirnyi, who is part of the Japanese team. But the Japanese tennis player is definitely out of the worst of it.

In conclusion

Coming back after a long break is challenging even for former elite players. Dominic Thiem is an example. However, if Nishikori keeps his positive attitude and his joy of the game is not dampened by defeats, he will surely reach a solid position in the rankings.

The fact that he is returning in the hard surface tournament season could also help him. It’s where he’s achieved his best results in his career. The domination of the concrete will peak at the US Open and there the Japanese should feel like a fish out of water.

Sources: ATP