Kei Nishikori reveals news that every tennis fan will love
Simona Halep is not the only high-profile tennis player making a comeback at the 2024 Miami Open. Kei Nishikori, 34, received a wildcard and will play in Miami. It will be the first competitive tennis he has played since July 2023.
Nishikori had a long layoff of over two years before making the Atlanta Open quarterfinals in July 2023. 2022 was a lost year due to surgery and recovery of his left hip. Since then, he has also experienced knee and foot injuries.
The peak years of Nishikori's career were between 2014 and 2019. He was a quarterfinalist at each of the Grand Slams (at least once) and the 2014 US Open finalist. He has 12 career ATP titles and was the bronze medalist in men's singles at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Does Nishikori have anything left in the tank?
Nishikori is similar to Andy Murray in that he has endured many debilitating injuries before reaching his mid-30s but keeps returning because he loves the game. His previous coaches include American Brad Gilbert and Argentinian Dante Botini. Nishikori still has an all-star team behind him, some have been with him for many years. He has worked with 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang since 2014 and former Belarusian player Max Mirnyi since 2020. Nishikori added former Swedish player Thomas Johansson to the team earlier this year.
He has dealt with many injuries that led to prolonged absences from the game, and many wonder how much more he could have accomplished if he had been healthy. American tennis fans will be happy to see him; the last time he played in the US before his stint in Atlanta last year was at Indian Wells in 2021.
With the Miami Open draw expected to be released on St. Patrick's Day, we will soon know who Nishikori will face in the early rounds.