Kei Nishikori - farewell tour in the coming year?
At least the Australian Open 2020 will probably have to do without Kei Nishikori. When the Japanese make his comeback on the tour, is not fixed yet.
by Jens Huiber
last edit: Dec 07, 2019, 09:56 am
The Australian Open without Kei Nishikori? That has happened before not so long ago. In early 2018, the Japanese did not feel fit enough to compete in Melbourne, beginning his season at two tournaments on the ATP Challenger Tour in Newport Beach and Dallas. What did not hurt Nishikori incidentally: In that year, despite the waiver of the first major of the year, he still qualified for the ATP Finals in London.
Now, however, the mixed situation is a little different. Again, Kei Nishikori could not play all autumn long, had to give up the Asian tour. As well as the following tournaments in Vienna and Paris-Bercy. The reason: an injury to the elbow. This was remedied by means of an operation, but the Japanese did not sound optimistic in a conversation with Nikkan Sports . "The prospect of possibly returning in January may be in February," says Nishikori. The stated goal is to fully attack at a later stage of 2020. Especially since just then take place the Olympic Games in Tokyo. Most recently in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 Nishikori won the bronze medal in singles.
"I do not want to overdo it. I'm getting closer and closer to my resignation. I want to be completely healed and play good tennis again in the second half of next year. "Nishikori's most recent match on the tour has been at the US Open - where he lost in four sets to Alex de Minaur in the third round.