Comeback of former world No. 4 player delayed again

Kei Nishikori, the holder of 12 ATP titles, 2014 US Open finalist, Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and four-time Masters tournament participant, is postponing his return to the courts once again. The Japanese 33-year-old popular tennis player, who has been rehabilitating his injured hip for a long time and underwent surgery at the turn of the year, will have to wait for his comeback.

He was originally scheduled to return to the courts in February this year. He had announced that he wanted to compete in the Delray Beach tournament, which he won in 2008 (his first triumph on the ATP circuit), but his hip and especially an unfortunate sprained ankle put a stop to his career. He even let it be known that he was thinking of hanging up his racket for good.

“I was even thinking of calling it a career. I was rehabbing at home. I didn’t get on the court at all for months. It was mentally tough,” he admitted.

After healing all the wounds, he planned his comeback. He wanted to compete in two American Challengers in Tyler and Little Rock in May/June, but tennis fans will not see his return there either.

“My team and I have decided that I will not be competing in the upcoming Challengers in Little Rock and Tyler. I am cancelling my application,” announced the experienced Japanese.

The former world No. 4 is unlikely to call it a career for now. He assured his fans that he needs more time to retrain after a long injury and is gradually getting there. He is already increasing the intensity of his strokes and his comeback is said to be around the corner.

Nishikori’s plans are that he would like to compete in the Puerto Rican Challenger in mid-June, which will be played in Palmas del Mar on a hard surface. It would be his first live tournament since October 2021, when he played the 2nd round at the ‘Thousand’ in Indian Wells against Daniel Evans.

All tennis enthusiasts must be wishing for his return to finally happen after almost two years. He would surely deserve to put a victory lap on his impressive career and spend a few more joyful moments on the courts. And if his health allows it at 33 years old, maybe even play at one of the Grand Slams.

Source: ATP, Tennis World