Kei Nishikori opens up on his return to tennis and reveals his next tournaments
He is one of the most popular players in the men’s game and now Kei Nishikori has opened up on his ambitions to get back to the top.
Japanese star Nishikori has over half a million followers on Instagram and is a huge hero in his homeland, so there was huge interest in his first match back on court since last July as he took on Sebastian Ofner at the Miami Open.
Nishikori lost 6-3 6-4 against Ofner, but he declared he was happy with his progress as he spoke after the match in his first major press conference of 2024.
“I thought I was practicing well, playing much better,” he said.
“I was feeling the rhythm, feeling the ball pretty good in the practice, but during the match it’s completely different. It was windy. He was hitting the ball very hard, very quick. The courts are quick.
“So I was having tough time making a lot of balls in the court. Just the little things that I was not making. You know, maybe I was supposed to hit the corner, but, you know, ball goes to the middle sometimes.
“But I have to say he was playing pretty good tennis, that I think if I could play with someone maybe slower pace, I was feeling maybe more balls and I could feel better, but he was playing good.
“I don’t have the clear goal right now. You know, I just want to play a lot of matches. I mean, I was almost enjoying the match, but it wasn’t good enough to beat those top, you know, 50 players. But I think I’m happy enough, you know, how I played.
READ MORE: Why Jannik Sinner could be among the biggest losers as Miami’s sunshine is washed out
“Maybe not the best, but I still have, you know, good desire. Yeah, I’m looking forward to play couple more tournaments.
“For me, physical is the most toughest thing. I almost came back summer of last year, and I played six, seven matches. My body got hurt again.
Just, for me, it’s tough to keep up my body.
“Schedule-wise, I have to be really smart how I play. Yes, I think example today, I think he took all the important points but I didn’t, and I had two loose game, one break each, and I lost easy, 6-4, 6-3.”
He went on to reveal what his plans are for the next few weeks and months, as he looks to step up his comeback on clay courts.
“Usually I play challengers when I try to come back, but I’m hoping to play Houston and Barcelona, Madrid, clay court season, because I like clay,” he added.
“I have a good record playing clay. So I hope I can play good couple matches there, Houston, Barcelona. I know it’s going to be tough field, but if I keep losing first round, maybe I will put some challengers in, but for now, no.”
Nishikori’s army of admirers will be delighted to hear him speaking in such upbeat tones after so long away from the court and if he can remain injury free, this former top ten star could be a player to watch in the second half of 2024.
