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29 Jul 2026 | 09.39
Kei Nishikori faces his last months as a professional with mixed feelings and a final competitive motivation after starting with a victory in the ATP 500 Washington 2026. The Japanese player admits to feeling proud of his career, although he regrets not having won a Grand Slam or Masters 1000 title, and now he is preparing for an exciting generational duel against Rafael Jódar.
There is something especially symbolic about seeing Nishikori competing in Washington. Eleven years after becoming champion in the U.S. capital, the Japanese has returned to the tournament in the season of his farewell and did so by defeating Juncheng Shang. His first ATP victory in over a year takes on special significance after an endless series of physical problems that eventually convinced him that it was time to end his career.
At 36 years old, Nishikori seems to have entered that phase of retirement where each tournament invites reflection. In an interview with Ben Rothenberg, the former world number 4 was surprisingly demanding of himself. Having been a US Open finalist, staying among the best for years, and becoming a historical figure in Asian tennis does not prevent him from also considering everything he left behind.
Nishikori admits to a certain sadness for not having won a Grand Slam or Masters 1000 title
"Many things go through my mind. Of course, I am happy with my career, but at the same time, I do not have a major achievement like winning a Grand Slam. I also do not have any Masters 1000 titles, so it is something that I feel is missing," acknowledged Nishikori, describing his satisfaction with his career as being "50 percent happy and 50 percent not happy".
This reflection speaks volumes about the mindset with which he approached his entire career. Nishikori reached world number 4 and played the US Open final in 2014 after defeating Novak Djokovic in the semifinals but never managed to secure that major title that would have further enhanced his legacy. He also fell short in four Masters 1000 finals.
The Japanese himself is aware, however, that his physical condition greatly affected his chances and that it is important to put his achievements into perspective. "With my height, without having a particularly strong body, I suffered many injuries and went through very tough times. I missed, I don't know, three or four years of the 20 years of my career. So I have to be happy with what I did, especially for winning many tournaments, reaching a Grand Slam final, achieving many goals, and being in the top 10. I have to be happy, although there were some goals I could not reach," he explained.
Rothenberg then reminded him that he had reached world number 4, and Nishikori found another reason to put that feeling of debt to himself into perspective. "I have to remind myself that I was, I think, the first Asian man to reach such a position in the rankings. Yes, I have to be happy," he said with laughter.
A victory in Washington that means much more than overcoming a first round
Nishikori had been waiting for a sensation like the one he experienced against Shang for a long time. Not only did he win, but his body responded for two hours and 31 minutes and did not concede a single break point throughout the match. This is particularly striking for a player who never built his success around his serve.
"Winning a match always feels good, no matter the situation. Especially in important moments, in important matches, and in big tournaments. It was not easy. I was able to play a good match, but I am still not at my best level. It will take me more time to recover my tennis. As for my body, it is still fine, and that is a good thing," he affirmed.
The Japanese even joked when asked if it had been one of his best serving performances. "Maybe of my entire life. I have never served well," he replied with laughter. "Even now, I do not think I have a great serve, so this never happens. But yesterday, I served well." The victory is even more valuable considering Nishikori's lack of competitive rhythm. "I am very happy to be back on the circuit. It has been a long time. I finally feel physically good and I am able to play good tennis again. I am happy to be back," he stated.
This does not mean that doubts have disappeared. The real test for his body was not only enduring a match but seeing how it responds when he has to string efforts together. "My body had no problems today and is fine now, but I do not know if I can play three or four matches in a row. Checking if I can play several matches will be the next goal. The next match will be against a strong opponent, and I have to raise my level," he warned.
Nishikori, excited about the possibility of facing Rafael Jódar
That opponent will be Rafael Jódar, a protagonist of one of the most attractive generational duels that the Washington draw could offer. Nishikori sees in the Spanish player one of those young talents he wants to confront before definitively leaving the circuit. "I am looking forward to playing against Jódar. He is a very powerful, fast player who is on the rise and someone I feel like playing against. He is young, and I have never faced him, so it is a good opportunity for me," he declared.
The difference in experience will be enormous, but Nishikori knows he will need to improve compared to his debut. Jódar arrives with the ambition to continue consolidating himself in the elite and with conditions that can demand a lot physically from the Japanese. This will be one of the great unknowns of the match: seeing how Kei's body responds after the effort accumulated in his first round.
"To be honest, in the third set, towards the end, I was quite tired. But I was able to keep calm and concentrated. Plus, I did not get broken. I think I was pretty focused," explained Nishikori, who also did not want to exaggerate his victory against Shang. "Of course, he was not in top form either. Today he gave me some opportunities, so there was also some luck in being able to win."
Sinner and Alcaraz, the two opponents Nishikori wants to encounter before retiring
The curiosity to face a new generation does not end with Jódar. Nishikori has a shortlist of players with whom he would be excited to cross paths before retiring for good.
"I would also like to face Fritz or Rune before retiring. That's why I am excited to see how far I can go and who I will meet. I will give my all," he assured.
But two names stand out above the rest. "Of course, Sinner and Alcaraz. I have already played a lot against Sascha and Novak," he joked. "I have also competed against Tiafoe and Fonseca. So, if I have to choose someone, it is them."
There is an almost poetic component in this desire. Nishikori spent his prime years trying to make his mark in an era dominated by several legends and now wants to experience on the court what it feels like to face the two players leading the new era. Jódar will be his first test against this new crop in Washington.
Where will Nishikori play the last match of his career?
Even the protagonist himself does not yet know where his definitive farewell will take place. The plan is to compete over the next few months, but after so many years conditioned by injuries, Nishikori has learned that setting too rigid calendars can be futile.
"I do not know yet. It depends on my body. If it holds up, I would like to play more tournaments, but it will depend on how I can maintain myself," he explained when asked about the possibility of his farewell occurring in Tokyo.
He is clear, however, that his immediate future after hanging up the racket does not involve replicating as a coach the itinerant life he led as a player. "I enjoy coaching, but I don't think I want to continue traveling. Being off the road is okay for me. I love coaching, especially with juniors, because they have many things to work on and a lot of hunger to improve. Sometimes, I really enjoy working with them," he pointed out.
Before thinking about all that, there is still tennis. Washington has given him back a feeling he had been chasing for too long, and now Rafael Jódar appears in his path. For a player who acknowledges a certain sadness for what he could never conquer, these last months offer a different opportunity: to enjoy competing without thinking about building a trophy cabinet anymore, to face the new generations, and to bid farewell to the circuit by checking how far his body, which often restricted his extraordinary talent, can take him.
Cette actualité est une traduction automatique. Vous pouvez lire la nouvelle originale Nishikori valora su carrera antes de medirse a Jódar: "Estoy satisfecho al 50%"
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28 Jul 2026 | 23:00Eala revendique ses origines et répond à ses critiques : Est-elle surestimée? -
28 Jul 2026 | 09:00Nishikori remporte plus qu'un match à Washington et établit un fait historique -
28 Jul 2026 | 19:00Un Jódar impérial ne laisse aucune chance à Fils à Washington -
28 Jul 2026 | 15:00Zverev a une réelle opportunité d'être numéro 1 mondial
