Emotional Kei Nishikori Retires From Professional Tennis in Tokyo
· Sports · BBC Sport, ESPN
Former world number four Kei Nishikori ended his professional tennis career at the Japan Open in Tokyo after losing 6-4 6-4 to world number eight Frances Tiafoe. The 36-year-old became the first Japanese man to reach a major singles final at the 2014 US Open and won an Olympic bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Games. Hampered by injuries throughout his 19-year career, Nishikori secured 12 ATP Tour titles and 40 career victories against top-10 players. Following his final match, he performed a lap of honour around the main showcourt in Tokyo in front of his home crowd. Tributes from tennis figures including Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Michael Chang were played on video during the farewell ceremony.
Why it matters
Nishikori's retirement marks the departure of a trailblazing Asian tennis star who inspired a generation of players across the region, including Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.
Read the original report — BBC Sport
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