Welcome Back, Kei Nishikori: The Real Nishikori is Back

Welcome back, Kei Nishikori! The real Nishikori is back!

He participated in the Japan Open for the first time in six years as a recommended player and advanced to the top eight. I lost with a match point, but it was a few days of happiness and frustration as I witnessed Nishikori’s unique tennis.

A Surprising Comeback: Nishikori’s High-Quality Tennis

First of all, I would like to apologize to Nishikori. He was plagued by injuries and was out of the tour for a long time until this spring. I thought I would never be able to watch the Kei Nishikori I knew play tennis again. But what I saw this time was an evolution.

His first opponent is Marin Cilic. This is the opponent I played in the US Open final 10 years ago. Ariake’s center court was the scene of a deadly battle. What surprised me most in that match was the high quality of Nishikori’s tennis. What particularly stood out was the serve, which was originally considered a weak point. He himself was surprised by his performance, and although his average speed was 168km/h, which wasn’t fast, his placement was outstanding. The final set ended with a set count of 1-1. It was a battle in which both players gave their all, and Nishikori came out on top. I couldn’t stop crying. Well done for making a comeback and overcoming a tough match. However, he calmly stated that there were still points that needed to be corrected.