In the 2022 season, Kei Nishikori did not play any match. The Japanese player struggled with hip injuries for a long time. He even intended to retire.
However, Nishikori has kept a strong fighting spirit. In June this year, he officially re -exported and participated in a number of Challenger. This week, the former number 4 in the world decided to return to ATP Tour, with the destination of Atlanta Open – ATP 250 on the hard yard held in the US. During the opening match, his opponent was host Jordan Thompson.
This match was extremely tense. In both sets, the two players must delineate victory and lose on the brain-brain tie-break series. In the end, Nishikori won with a score of 7-6 (5) 7-6 (5) to continue in the second round.
This is the victory at Nishikori's first ATP Tour after 21 months. The last time Mr. Thang was in October 2021. Speaking after the match, the Japanese player was extremely touched:
“After eight or nine months of recovery after hip surgery, I was almost ready to return, but then I had ankle sprains. Turns out, everything is much more complicated and worse than what I think. That makes me back the re -export schedule for four or five more months.
There was once or twice I thought about retiring. I was mentally attacked when I was almost involved in a second injury. I'm not sure I can come back or not. Therefore, it is the most difficult time.
It was touched because after all, I was back. I am very happy where to play. I don't have any pressure and play very comfortably. Currently, I hope to have the opportunity to encounter talented young players like Alcaraz, Rune and Sinner. This is part of the motivation for me to try to play for a few more years, ”Nishikori shared.
In the second round of Atlanta Open, Nishikori will meet Chinese rival Junkeng Shang – class 156 ATP.
