Kei Nishikori stood before a crowd at Ariake Coliseum on October 6, reflecting on a career defined by milestones and relentless physical setbacks as the Kinoshita Group Japan Open concluded its tournament run.
The tribute ceremony, held after Nishikori played his final match on October 1 at the ATP 500 event in Tokyo, brought together key figures from his journey in professional tennis. Japan Tennis Association President Yuji Fukuzawa presented the former world No. 4 with a special honorary award during the proceedings.
Tribute ceremony honors career milestones
Surrounded by family and long-time mentors, Nishikori watched a video highlight reel featuring congratulatory messages from contemporary rivals Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray. Reflecting on the footage, the UNIQLO-sponsored star acknowledged the persistent physical battles that shaped his trajectory on the ATP Tour.
“There were many injuries in my tennis life, but what remains in my head are the fun, best scenes and memories of winning,” Nishikori told the audience, speaking with a relaxed expression. “I am satisfied that I gave it everything until the end and worked hard.”
Reflecting on his battles against the sport’s legendary quartet, Nishikori expressed gratitude for the benchmark they provided. “I learned a lot from them,” he said. “I also had the desire for Asian players to follow my lead as I succeeded. I would be happy if new, strong players are born from Japan moving forward.”
Michael Chang praises Nishikori's work ethic
Former coach Michael Chang, who guided Nishikori beginning in late 2013, delivered a speech praising the Japanese player’s work ethic and resilience. Chang noted that Nishikori never shied away from the necessary hard work required to reach the elite tier of men’s tennis.
“He never ran away from the hard work required for success, and he never yielded to hardship,” Chang said. “That patience and resilience made him a top competitor.”
Chang also lightened the mood with a touch of humor, telling the crowd that his only regret during their years together was that Nishikori never taught him a single word of Japanese.
Masaaki Morita, the Japan Tennis Association honorary advisor who supported Nishikori’s move to the United States at age 13, recalled the responsibility of sending a young teenager far from home. Morita expressed pride in how Nishikori developed into a professional and encouraged fans to continue backing him in his next chapter.
Nishikori thanks family for their sacrifices
Taking the microphone once again, Nishikori directed his appreciation toward his relatives, acknowledging the sacrifices made by his parents and his older sister, who served as his earliest rival. Nishikori admitted that his pursuit of Grand Slam titles and the top spot in the rankings demanded immense dedication from those closest to him.
“Since I was small, I ran straight toward the goals of winning a Grand Slam and becoming number one with tennis as my sole focus—that was truly a happiness,” Nishikori said. “Regrets remain, and I wanted to achieve a bit more results, but it was a wonderfully fun tennis life.”
Regarding his immediate plans, Nishikori asked for time to rest before committing to his next steps. He emphasized his intention to remain involved in the sport, stating an ambition to help cultivate future generations of talent in Japan and across Asia.
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