ATP Tour

Nishikori ready for final tournament: ‘This is my last moment’

Kei Nishikori is ready for one last dance in Tokyo.

The Japanese star is set for his final ATP Tour appearance at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, bringing his career to a close home soil, where he won the title in 2012 and 2014. As Nishikori prepares to step on court one final time in Tokyo, the former World No. 4 admits the occasion comes with a mixture of excitement and sadness.

"Very emotional. I have mixed feelings," Nishikori shared in an interview with ATP Media in Tokyo. "I am excited to play in Japan. But I also know this is my last moment. So, it's kind of sad. Of course, I want to play good tennis. There’s some pressure, but it’s exciting too."

Nishikori has enjoyed some of the most meaningful moments of his career in Tokyo, none more significant than his first title on home soil. In 2012, Nishikori defeated then-World No. 6 Milos Raonic in three sets to clinch the Tokyo crown for the first time.

“That was my biggest moment here,” Nishikori recalled. “Because I think for all the Japanese players, this is one of the dream tournaments, and everyone wants to win and I did it. It was 2012 and I beat Raonic.

“It was a tough battle, but I won a title. I was very happy. Winning here is almost like winning a Grand Slam title for me because this is my home. A lot of fans show up and that was my biggest moment.”

_{^{Nishikori won the Tokyo title in 2012. Photo: Koji Watanabe/Getty Images.}}

Nishikori enjoyed that feeling again in 2014, when he lifted the Tokyo title for a second time. The triumph came during the best season of his career, just weeks after he reached his first Grand Slam final at the US Open. The Japanese won four titles that year.

"I think 2014 was my best year," Nishikori said. "Winning a title here again, it's not easy, but I did it. I was very happy. I wish I could win a couple more but two times is good for me."

Those two titles remain among Nishikori’s most memorable moments at the ATP 500 event. Now, the former No. 4 player in the PIF ATP Rankings returns for his 12th and final appearance at the tournament, which will also be his final event as a professional.

The 36-year-old owns a 24-9 tournament record, according to Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, and will face Frances Tiafoe in the first round this year. It will be the 12-time ATP Tour champion's final chance to play in front of the home fans, whom he credits for helping him triumph in Tokyo.

“[I have felt the fan support] all the time,” Nishikori said. “These fans always pushed me to the end and I think that's why I was able to win in the third set [against Raonic].”