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Kei Nishikori’s Journey from Japan Open Debut to Retirement

Nearly two decades ago, Kei Nishikori stepped onto the ATP Tour for the first time. His debut came at the 2007 Countrywide Classic, where he faced a tough opening match against South Africa's Wesley Moodie and lost in the first round.

Shortly after, Nishikori recorded his initial ATP wins by advancing to the quarter-finals of the 2007 Indianapolis Tennis Classic. On Thursday, Nishikori announced his retirement from professional tennis.

The final chapter of his career ended at the Japan Open’s first round, where US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe defeated him 6-4, 6-4. Almost 19 years earlier, Nishikori had made his first appearance at this very event.

Nishikori’s 2007 Japan Open Experience

Back in 2007, Nishikori received a wildcard entry into the Japan Open. His opponent in the opening round was American Zach Fleishman, ranked world number 127 at the time. Fleishman had impressed that year by beating world number six Fernando Gonzalez at the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles.

The young Nishikori, then just 17, fought hard but fell 7-6, 3-6, 6-1 to Fleishman. Fleishman’s run ended the next round against Richard Gasquet, a French player who retired in 2025.

The following year, Nishikori returned to Tokyo and made headway by defeating Robert Kendrick and Guillermo Garcia Lopez before losing to Gasquet in the quarter-finals.

Japan Open Triumphs

Kei Nishikori claimed the Japan Open title twice, in 2012 and 2014. His 2012 path to victory included wins over Go Soeda, Tommy Robredo, Tomas Berdych, and Marcos Baghdatis. In the final, he bested Milos Raonic 7-6, 3-6, 6-0. Afterward, Nishikori shared with Sky Sports:

"It's absolutely unbelievable to win in Japan. To win an ATP 500 event will give me more confidence in the future. I'd never played well in Japan, but since beating (second seed) Tomas Berdych, I felt I'd broken that wall down. To reach the top 10 is my target now."

Two years later, Nishikori again defeated Raonic in the final, this time 7-6, 4-6, 6-4. This achievement made him one of only four players to have multiple Japan Open titles.

  • Players with multiple Japan Open titles:
  • Kei Nishikori
  • Pete Sampras
  • Jim Courier
  • Stefan Edberg (most successful with four titles)

Nishikori also reached the Japan Open final in 2018 but lost in straight sets to Daniil Medvedev.

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