Kei Nishikori acknowledges he is aware that he is in the last stages of his career and admits he now deals with “a different kind of frustration” but also adds that he is trying to keep a positive perspective and enjoy the time he has left in tennis.
On Wednesday, the 35-year-old clinched a hard-fought 6-2 5-7 7-6 (3) win over Jaume Munar in the Indian Wells first round.
For Nishikori – who is currently ranked at No. 76 in the world – it was only his second win in his last six matches but he still owns a positive 7-5 record in 2025, mainly due to a runner-up finish in Hong Kong in the first week of the year.
Since having surgeries on his elbow (2019) and hip (2022), the Japanese’s results have been a far cry from where he once was but he refused to simply quit despite some very serious injury challenges.
Nishikori: I can see the exit first rather than the past… But I’m still trying to enjoy the game
“At the age of 35 I can see the exit first, rather than the past. Now I have a different kind of frustration from that in younger days, feel different emotions,” the former world No. 4 told Japanese media.
“But even if it’s closing years for me I have to enjoy it, have to enjoy the process even when results don’t follow. I want to handle my mental condition well to stay calm regardless of whether winning or losing.”
But even if it’s closing years for me I have to enjoy it, have to enjoy the process even when results don’t follow. I want to handle my mental condition well to stay calm regardless of whether winning or losing”@THEDIGESTweb
— 井蛙堂 (@seiadoumogera) March 6, 2025
Had Nishikori won the ATP 250 tournament in Hong Kong earlier this year, it would have been his first title since 2019.
Meanwhile, the Japanese plays against Ugo Humbert in the Indian Wells second round.
Tennis World USA