Kei Nishikori has declared that he intends to make a competitive return to action on the ATP Tour this year, after a very long spell away from the sport.
Once Japan's prime representative on the ATP Tour, Nishikori established himself as one of the game's very best when he rose to a career-high ranking of World No. 4 and reached a Grand Slam final in New York.
However, those achievements were back in 2015 and 2014 respectively. Nishikori has not played a competitive game of tennis since 2021. Injury, and candid revelations about his mental health, have kept him away from the sport for what is an age in professional tennis.
The Japanese player's intended return had been at the end of last summer, in time for the US hard-court swing. However, Nishikori unfortunately encountered several physical setbacks, meaning he ended up missing the entirety of the 2022 season and all 2023's action so far, including the 2023 Delray Beach Open where he should have played.
But the former US Open finalist and 12-time ATP titlist has now announced that he will be returning to action this season, with speculation that it could be within the next two months according to reports.
I casually mentioned that I thought about retirement, but afterwards I realized it would go into headlines, I was like, oops, I blew it.
Despite seriously considering retirement, Kei Nishikori now believes he has too much promise to walk away from the sport without one more roll of the dice.
I've made much effort and it's a shame to bring it to naught due to injury. I'm not sure if this is the right way to say it, but I feel like I'm kinda talented and I have reached the position that not so many people can reach, that makes me feel like it's too good to give up.
For tennis fans worldwide, the return to action of Kei Nishikori - whenever it does eventually happen - will no doubt be welcomed with open arms.
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