Japanese tennis trailblazer Nishikori to retire at end of season

TOKYO (Agencies): Kei Nishikori will hang up his racquet at the end of the 2026 season, the 36-year-old said on Friday, bringing down the curtain on a professional career that saw him break new ground for Japanese tennis. Nishikori became the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam singles final at the 2014 U.S. Open and was the second Asian man after Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan to make it into the top 10. He reached a career-high ranking of number four ⁠in 2015 and won 12 titles on the ATP Tour, but has been plagued by injuries for years and has fallen to 464 in the world rankings. The last time he was ranked in the top 10 was in October 2019 and last month he admitted he was “barely hanging on” in terms of physical fitness. “Reaching the ATP Tour, playing at the highest level of competition and maintaining a presence in the top 10 is something I am ⁠extremely proud of,” Nishikori wrote in a post on social media. “Whether in victory or defeat, the special atmosphere I felt in packed arenas is irreplaceable … To be honest, I still wish I could continue my playing career. Even so, looking ⁠back on everything up to this point, I can proudly say that I gave it my all. “I am truly happy to have walked this path. I will cherish ⁠every moment of the remaining matches and fight to the very end.” Nishikori’s most recent appearance in a tour-level event came at last year’s Cincinnati ⁠Open, though he has played in five Challenger events this year. He also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, defeating Spain’s Rafael Nadal in three sets.