Challenges in the Life of Kei Nishikori in a Detailed Timeline

Resilience and perseverance in the journey of Kei Nishikori. A timeline of obstacles and growth.

Kei Nishikori is a prominent Japanese professional tennis player, notable as the only Japanese man in the Open Era to achieve a top-five singles ranking, reaching world No. 4 in 2015. He has secured twelve ATP Tour titles. Nishikori made history as the first man representing an Asian country to reach a major singles final at the 2014 US Open. Furthermore, he was the first Asian man to qualify for the ATP Finals, reaching the semifinals twice. He is currently the No. 3 player from Japan.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

June 2008: Wimbledon Debut and Forfeiture

On June 23, 2008, Kei Nishikori made his first Grand Slam appearance at the Wimbledon Championships, ending in a first-round forfeiture to Marc Gicquel due to an abdominal muscle strain.

2008: ATP Newcomer of the Year and Injury

In 2008, Kei Nishikori was named ATP Newcomer of the Year, becoming the first Asian player to win the award. He later withdrew from the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open due to an injured right elbow.

January 2012: Ranking Since January 2012

Following the conclusion of Paris, Nishikori fell to World No.22, his lowest ranking since January 2012.

2013: US Open First Round Loss

In 2013, Kei Nishikori lost in the first round of the US Open to Dan Evans.

March 2014: First Time Out of Top 20

Nishikori fell out of the top 20 in the rankings for the first time since March 2014.

2014: Rematch of the 2014 US Open

At the US Open, Nishikori faced Marin Čilić in a rematch of the 2014 final.

2014: Failure to Defend Points at Mutua Madrid Open

In 2014, Kei Nishikori failed to defend his points from the final at the Mutua Madrid Open, causing his ranking to drop to sixth.

2014: 2014 US Open Semifinal Run

In 2014, Kei Nishikori nearly replicated his US Open run by reaching the semifinals, defeating Andy Murray in the quarterfinals. He lost to Stan Wawrinka in the semifinals after leading by a set and a break.

2015: 2015 Italian Open and French Open

In 2015, Nishikori reached the quarterfinal of the Italian Open, losing to Novak Djokovic. At the French Open, he advanced to the fourth round after his opponent withdrew and reached the quarterfinals, becoming the first Japanese man to do so in 82 years, before losing to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

2015: 2015 Citi Open, Rogers Cup, US Open

In 2015, Nishikori won the Citi Open, defeating John Isner in the final, capturing his third title of the year and 10th overall. He reached the semifinals of the Rogers Cup, defeating Rafael Nadal for the first time, and withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters due to fatigue and a hip injury. He then lost in the first round of the US Open to Benoît Paire.

2016: 2016 ATP World Tour Finals

In 2016, Nishikori qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals for the third successive time. He won his first match against Stan Wawrinka before losing to Andy Murray and Marin Čilić. He made the semifinals but was defeated by Novak Djokovic, ending his season ranked World No. 5.

2018: ATP Tour Return in New York and Abierto Mexicano Telcel

In 2018, Kei Nishikori returned to the ATP Tour in New York, reaching the semifinal. He then participated in the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, losing in the first round.

2018: 2018 Monte-Carlo Masters, Italian Open, and French Open

In 2018, Nishikori reached the final of the Monte-Carlo Masters, losing to Rafael Nadal. He reached the quarterfinals of the Italian Open and the fourth round of the French Open.

2021: 2021 Rotterdam and Dubai Quarterfinals, Miami Open

In 2021, Kei Nishikori made the quarterfinals in Rotterdam and Dubai. He was seeded at the Miami Open, losing in the third round.

2021: 2021 Citi Open and US Open

In 2021, Nishikori participated in the Citi Open in Washington, reaching the semifinals. He reached the third round at the 2021 US Open. He played his last event of the season at the 2021 BNP Paribas Open, losing in the second round.

2021: 2021 ATP Cup and Australian Open

In 2021, Nishikori started his season at the ATP Cup, losing both singles matches. At the Australian Open, he lost in the first round.

2021: 2021 Grass Court Season

Nishikori's 2021 grass court swing was much more quiet, losing in Halle to Sebastian Korda and in Wimbledon to Jordan Thompson.

January 25, 2022: Announcement of Hip Surgery

On January 25, 2022, Kei Nishikori announced that he would undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left hip and aimed to return to the tour in about six months.