Kei Nishikori Reflects on His Japan Open Debut Nearly Two Decades Before Retirement

Kei Nishikori began his ATP Tour journey close to 20 years ago. His first appearance came at the 2007 Countrywide Classic, where he faced a first-round defeat against South Africa’s Wesley Moodie.

Shortly after, Nishikori earned his initial ATP wins and reached the quarter-finals of the 2007 Indianapolis Tennis Classic.

The End of a Career

On Thursday, Nishikori announced his retirement from professional tennis. His final match saw US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe defeat him 6-4, 6-4 in the opening round of the Japan Open.

Nishikori’s First Japan Open Appearance

Nearly 19 years before that last match, Nishikori made his debut at the Japan Open. He entered the tournament with a wildcard and was paired against American Zach Fleishman in the first round.

Fleishman, ranked 127th globally, had one of his standout moments in 2007 by beating world number six Fernando Gonzalez at the Countrywide Classic.

Despite Nishikori’s potential, Fleishman won their match 7-6, 3-6, 6-1. Fleishman’s run ended in the next round when he lost to French player Richard Gasquet, who retired in 2025.

Returning to Tokyo the following year, Nishikori achieved his first wins there, beating Robert Kendrick and Guillermo Garcia Lopez before falling to Gasquet in the quarter-finals.

Japan Open Triumphs

Kei Nishikori claimed the Japan Open title twice, in 2012 and 2014.

In 2012, his path to the final included wins over Go Soeda, Tommy Robredo, Tomas Berdych, and Marcos Baghdatis. The final pitted him against Milos Raonic, a future Wimbledon finalist, whom Nishikori defeated 7-6, 3-6, 6-0.

“It's absolutely unbelievable to win in Japan,” Nishikori told Sky Sports after the victory. “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 (in the quarter-finals), I felt I’d broken that wall down. To reach the top 10 is my target now.”

Two years later, Nishikori again faced Raonic in the final and emerged victorious with a 7-6, 4-6, 6-4 score.

This achievement placed Nishikori among only four players to have multiple Japan Open titles. The others are Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, and Stefan Edberg — with Edberg holding the record for the most wins at four titles.

In 2018, Nishikori returned to the final but lost to Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.