Kei Nishikori has announced that he will retire from professional tennis at the end of the 2026 season.
In an emotional statement, Nishikori reflected on his journey in the sport and the challenges he faced along the way:
“Since I was a child, I have been passionate about tennis… reaching the ATP Tour, playing at the highest level, and maintaining a presence in the top 10 is something I am extremely proud of.”
He also spoke about the difficulties caused by injuries throughout his career:
“There were also times when I was overwhelmed by frustration and anxiety due to repeated injuries that prevented me from playing as I wanted.”
Despite those challenges, his love for the game kept him going:
“My love for tennis and my belief that I could become a stronger player always brought me back to the court.”
Looking back on his career, Nishikori expressed gratitude and pride:
“I am deeply grateful to my family and to everyone who has supported me at all times… I can proudly say that I gave it my all.”
The Japanese star confirmed he will continue competing through the remainder of the season:
“I will cherish every moment of the remaining matches and fight to the very end.”
Nishikori leaves behind a lasting legacy as one of the most influential players in the sport and is widely regarded as the greatest male Asian tennis player in history.
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