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 highly accomplished Japanese professional tennis player. He is notable for being the only Japanese man in the Open Era to achieve a top-five singles ranking, peaking at world No. 4 in 2015. Nishikori has secured twelve ATP Tour titles and made history as the first man representing an Asian country to reach a major singles final at the 2014 US Open. Additionally, he was the first Asian man to qualify for the ATP Finals, reaching the semi-finals twice. He is currently the top-ranked Japanese player.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

June 2008: Wimbledon Debut

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

2008: ATP Newcomer of the Year

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

January 2012: Rankings

In January 2012, Nishikori had his lowest ranking.

2013: US Open First Round Loss

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

March 2014: Rankings

Since March 2014, Nishikori ranked out of the top 20.

2014: Failing to defend points from the final

In 2014, Nishikori reached the final in Mutua Madrid Open.

2014: Davis Cup World Group First Round Victory

In 2014, in the Davis Cup World Group first round in Tokyo, Japan defeated Canada 4–1, and Kei Nishikori contributed to three Japan victories in the tie. However, Nishikori missed the quarterfinal against Czech Republic due to a left groin injury.

2015: Australian Open Quarterfinal Loss to Wawrinka

In 2015, Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka met in the Australian Open quarterfinal, where Wawrinka beat Nishikori in straight sets.

2015: Citi Open, Rogers Cup, and US Open

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

2015: Italian Open and French Open

In 2015, at the Italian Open, Nishikori reached the quarterfinal but lost to Novak Djokovic. At the 2015 French Open, he advanced to the 4th round after Benjamin Becker withdrew and reached the quarterfinals, becoming the first Japanese man to do so in 82 years, but lost to Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

2016: Wimbledon Retirement and Swiss Indoors Final Loss Against Cilic

In 2016, Kei Nishikori retired mid-match in the 4th round of Wimbledon in the 2nd set after losing the first set due to a rib injury against Marin Cilic. They met again in the final of the Swiss Indoors, where Cilic prevailed. During the round-robin stage of the Year-End 2016 ATP World Tour Finals, Cilic came from a set down to defeat Nishikori.

August 2017: Injury at Montreal

Since August 2017 Montreal, Nishikori returns to the ATP Tour competition.

2018: ATP 250 Tournament and Abierto Mexicano Telcel

In 2018, Kei Nishikori returned to the ATP Tour competition at the ATP 250 Tournament in New York, reaching the semifinal. He then participated in the 2018 Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, losing in the first round.

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

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

2019: Most Recent Meeting Loss to Wawrinka

In 2019, Kei Nishikori and Stan Wawrinka last met at the Madrid Open, where Wawrinka won.

2021: Indian Wells Tournament

In 2021, Kei Nishikori competed at Indian Wells, after which he didn't compete in any tournaments until the 2023 Atlanta Open due to injury.

2021: ATP Cup and Australian Open

In 2021, Kei Nishikori played in the ATP Cup, losing both of his singles matches. At the 2021 Australian Open, he lost in the first round to Pablo Carreño Busta.

2021: Grass Court Season

Nishikori's 2021 grass court swing was not successful, losing in Halle to Sebastian Korda and in Wimbledon to Jordan Thompson.

January 25, 2022: Arthroscopic Surgery

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

June 2022: Ranking Outside Top 100

In June 2022, Kei Nishikori's ranking fell outside the top 100, and he did not return to the top 100 until January 6, 2025, when he reached the Hong Kong Open final.

2023: Atlanta Open Quarterfinals

In 2023, Kei Nishikori competed in his first tournament since Indian Wells 2021 at the Atlanta Open, where he reached the quarterfinals after defeating Juncheng Shang. He later skipped ATP Challenger tournaments in November and December due to a left knee injury.