Kei Nishikori has announced a much-anticipated and long-awaited return to the ATP Tour after more than 18 months out of action.
After weeks of speculation surrounding the former US Open finalist's return to competitive action, today he officially confirmed his return and announced his comeback date through a social media post.
According to the schedule that the Japanese player has provided, his comeback journey will start on May 29th, 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas, United States at the event called the Little Rock Open, categorized as ATP Challenger 75. Previous champions of the tournament are the likes of Jack Sock and Jason Kubler and so the field can be really competitive in Little Rock.
Little update….looking to come back at the following three challengers: May 29: Little Rock, Arkansas June 5: Tyler, Texas June 12: Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico Will keep you posted on more details.
Staying in the United States, Nishikori will then move to Tyler, Texas, where he'll compete at the Tyler Tennis Championships, an event of the same category as the one in Little Rock. And for the third tournament, he will move to Palmas del Mar in Puerto Rico for another ATP Challenger 75 event.
While the Challenger circuit remains a far cry from where Nishikori was and wishes to get back to, it will mainly be of immense relief for him to be back in competitive action and able to build some form and rhythm once again.
Despite seriously considering retirement, Kei Nishikori believes he has too much promise to walk away from the sport without one more roll of the dice.