Kei Nishikori fell in the third round of the US Open men’s singles qualifying tournament in New York, bringing a quiet end to his final appearance in the season’s final Grand Slam event. The 36-year-old Japanese veteran, who previously announced that the current season will be his last on the professional tour, dropped a straight-sets decision to 20-year-old compatriot Rei Sakamoto.
Qualifying Exit at Flushing Meadows Closes a Major Chapter
The match took place on the outdoor hard courts at the UUSTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, where qualifying rounds test players fighting for a spot in the main draw. Nishikori, competing under the Uniqlo banner, could not solve the power and baseline aggression of Sakamoto, a rising talent representing the next generation of Japanese tennis.
For Nishikori, the loss marks the definitive conclusion of his storied singles journey at the New York major. Over the past decade and a half, Flushing Meadows has served as the site of some of his most memorable athletic triumphs and physical battles.
Navigating the Final Season on Tour
The decision to make this campaign his farewell tour follows years of battling persistent injuries that limited his appearances on the ATP Tour. Nishikori spent lengthy stretches away from the game due to hip, elbow, and knee procedures, forcing him to rebuild his ranking repeatedly through the Challenger circuit and tour-level wild cards. By confirming that the current season marks his competitive curtain call, he has drawn immense media attention at every tour stop he enters.
Sakamoto, meanwhile, used the qualifying stage to showcase his potential on a major grand stage. The 20-year-old has steadily climbed through the junior and ITF ranks, and defeating an established former top-four opponent serves as a significant milestone in his early professional development.
Next Steps on the Tour Calendar
Following this elimination from the US Open qualifying draw, tournament schedules for Nishikori’s remaining farewell appearances depend on his physical recovery and wildcard acceptances from autumn tournaments. Tennis officials and tour organizers have yet to release a definitive schedule for his final official tournament before he hangs up his racquet permanently.
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