TENNIS: Japanese trailblazer Nishikori to retire at end of season

Kei Nishikori will retire at the end of the 2026 season, the 36-year-old said on Friday, closing the chapter on a professional tennis career that helped redefine Japanese tennis on the global stage.

Nishikori became the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam singles final at the 2014 U.S. Open. He also became only the second Asian man, after Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan, to break into the world’s top 10.

He reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in 2015 and won 12 ATP Tour titles. However, injuries have repeatedly disrupted his career in recent years, contributing to a steep drop in the rankings, where he currently sits at No. 464.

His last appearance in the top 10 came in October 2019. Last month, he admitted he was “barely hanging on” physically as he continued to manage ongoing fitness challenges.

“Reaching the ATP Tour, playing at the highest level of competition and maintaining a presence in the top 10 is something I am extremely proud of,” Nishikori wrote in a social media post.

“Whether in victory or defeat, the special atmosphere I felt in packed arenas is irreplaceable… To be honest, I still wish I could continue my playing career. Even so, looking back on everything up to this point, I can proudly say that I gave it my all.

“I am truly happy to have walked this path. I will cherish every moment of the remaining matches and fight to the very end.”

Nishikori’s most recent appearance at a tour-level event came at last year’s Cincinnati Open, though he has competed in five ATP Challenger events this year as he attempted to extend his career.

One of his standout achievements came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where he captured a bronze medal after defeating Spain’s Rafael Nadal in a three-set match.

-Reporting by Aadi Nair; Editing by Thomas Derpinghaus/Reuters