Kei Nishikori's Journey From Japan Open Debut to Retirement

Kei Nishikori began his ATP Tour career nearly two decades ago. His first main circuit appearance was at the 2007 Countrywide Classic, where he fell to South African Wesley Moodie in the opening round. Shortly after, Nishikori earned his first ATP wins, advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2007 Indianapolis Tennis Classic.

On a recent Thursday, Nishikori announced his retirement from professional tennis. His final match came at the Japan Open, where US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe defeated him 6-4, 6-4 in the first round.

Looking Back: Nishikori’s First Japan Open Appearance

Nearly 19 years before that last match, Nishikori made his debut at the Japan Open. As a wildcard entry in 2007, he faced American Zach Fleishman in the first round. Fleishman, then ranked 127th in the world, had notable success that year, including a win over world number six Fernando Gonzalez at the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles.

The match was tough for 17-year-old Nishikori, who lost 7-6, 3-6, 6-1. Fleishman was eliminated in the next round by French player Richard Gasquet, who retired in 2025.

Nishikori returned to Tokyo in 2008, notching his first victories at the Japan Open by defeating Robert Kendrick and Guillermo Garcia Lopez. His run ended in the quarter-finals against Gasquet.

Triumphs at the Japan Open

Nishikori lifted the Japan Open trophy twice, in 2012 and 2014. During the 2012 event, he overcame Go Soeda, Tommy Robredo, Tomas Berdych, and Marcos Baghdatis to reach the final, where he defeated future Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic 7-6, 3-6, 6-0.

"It's absolutely unbelievable to win in Japan," Nishikori said after the victory, as reported by Sky Sports. "To win an ATP 500 event will give me more confidence in the future. I'd never played well in Japan but since beating (second seed) Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals, I felt I'd broken that wall down. To reach the top 10 is my target now."

In 2014, Nishikori again bested Raonic in the final, this time with a score of 7-6, 4-6, 6-4. This achievement placed him among only four players to win multiple Japan Open titles. The others are Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, and Stefan Edberg, with Edberg holding the record of four titles in Tokyo.

He also reached the final in 2018 but was defeated in straight sets by Daniil Medvedev.