Tokyo, Oct. 1 (Jiji Press)–Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori, who has announced his retirement from competition at the end of this season, was eliminated from his final tournament, the Japan Open, on Thursday. In a first-round match at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo, the former world No. 4 in the men’s singles rankings lost 4-6, 4-6 to Frances Tiafoe, the current No. 8 player from the United States. Nishikori put up a valiant fight but ultimately fell short. Nishikori, who returned to his courtside bench in tears, said, “I was overwhelmed by a sense of loss, as if everything I’ve built up so far suddenly disappeared.” “I wondered if this was really the end of me giving it everything I’ve got on the court,” he said. A full crowd and Tiafoe all celebrated Nishikori’s illustrious 20-year career, which includes 12 tour titles and a bronze medal in the men’s singles event at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics, which was Japan’s first Olympic medal in tennis in 96 years. In Nishikori’s hometown of Matsue, about 65 people cheered on the home hero at a public viewing venue in the western Japan city. “I was moved by his great game,” said Kiyomi Kashiwai, whose late husband, Masaki, coached Nishikori during his tennis junior career. Nishikori turned professional in 2007. In May 2014, he broke into the world’s top 10 for the first time as a Japanese male player. At the U.S. Open the same year, he became the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam singles final. “I’ve managed to lead a very enjoyable tennis life,” Nishikori said. “I hope to provide help in some way to make Japanese tennis even stronger.” His retirement ceremony will be held on Tuesday, the final day of the Japan Open. END [Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
