Former world number one Roger Federer praised Kei Nishikori for breaking barriers and raising the standard of Japanese men’s tennis during an event in Tokyo.
Roger Federer Honors Kei Nishikori in Tokyo
Former world number one Roger Federer appeared alongside retiring star Kei Nishikori on December 11 at the “UNIQLO LifeWear Day Tokyo 2026 with Kei Nishikori” event. The celebration honored Nishikori’s career and thanked fans, featuring an exhibition match that also included wheelchair tennis world number one Shingo Kunieda. During the post-event press conference, Federer reflected on Nishikori’s profound impact on the sport and the personal qualities that defined his career.
“He achieved a great deal,” Federer said during the press conference. “As he retires, what we should look at now is not just his wonderful backhand, touch, or speed on the court. The humanity that supported him as a player and what he brought to this sport deserve more recognition.”
Breaking Down Barriers for Japanese Tennis
Federer emphasized the unique pressure Nishikori faced as a trailblazer in a country with a passionate sports culture but a relatively short modern tennis history compared to European powerhouses. While Switzerland produced Grand Slam and Olympic champions during Federer’s youth, Nishikori had to carve an entirely new path for Asian men’s tennis.
“I don’t truly know what it’s like to represent Japan, but Japan is a very large country while tennis history is not that long,” Federer noted. “The Switzerland I grew up in is about one-tenth the size of Japan, but we already had Grand Slam and Olympic champions. Among that, Kei was one of the players who had to break through an invisible ceiling himself.”
Federer acknowledged Nishikori’s historic milestones, noting that he became the first male player from Japan in the Open Era to break into the top 40, 30, 20, 10, and top 5 rankings. By continuing to push past those milestones, Nishikori set a soaring standard for men’s tennis in his home country, driven by a fierce belief that he could achieve what no one before him had managed.
“That attitude makes his career even more extraordinary than the actual results he achieved,” Federer added.
Future Guidance and Advice for Retirement
Beyond competitive achievements, Federer offered practical guidance to the retiring star regarding life after professional competition. Drawing from his own post-retirement transition, Federer expressed hope that Nishikori would remain connected to the sport in some capacity while also exploring new horizons.
“I want him to love tennis as much as I do, and I hope he stays involved in tennis in some form,” Federer said. “Whether it’s commentary, coaching, running a tennis academy, or contributing to a tennis association, anything involving a tennis ball and racket is wonderful. It would be a waste for him not to be involved in the tennis world.”
Federer also advised his former rival to take things slow and discover fresh passions outside of athletics. “As someone slightly older than him, my advice is to take the time to realize there are still many other things he doesn’t know yet that he can enjoy and love. Meeting many new people, listening, learning, and having an open mind are important. If he does those things, I’m sure he will succeed in any field he chooses.”
The Tokyo exhibition marked a significant milestone in the ongoing farewell celebrations for Nishikori, who announced that the current season would be his last on the professional tour.
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