Key facts
- Kei Nishikori played his final professional match on October 6, 2026, losing to Frances Tiafoe in the first round of the Japan Open.
- Nishikori, 36, was the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final (2014 US Open) and achieved a career-high ATP ranking of No. 4 in 2015.
- He won 12 ATP Tour titles and over 450 tour-level match wins during his nearly 20-year career.
- Novak Djokovic praised Nishikori's resilience and fighting spirit in overcoming injuries.
- Stefanos Tsitsipas noted Nishikori's unique playing style that brought pride to Japan.
Kei Nishikori, the trailblazing Japanese tennis player who achieved unprecedented heights for Asian men's tennis, has played his final professional match. The 36-year-old concluded his nearly two-decade career on October 6, 2026, with a first-round loss to Frances Tiafoe at the Japan Open in Tokyo.
Nishikori, who was once ranked world No. 4, lost to the second seed Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4 in front of an adoring home crowd at the Ariake Coliseum. After the match, Tiafoe met Nishikori at the net for an embrace, setting the tone for an emotional farewell ceremony. Nishikori thanked his opponent and the fans, expressing pride in having devoted his life to the sport and in his perseverance despite numerous injuries.
During the ceremony, organizers presented a video tribute featuring messages from prominent players. Novak Djokovic lauded Nishikori's resilience and fighting spirit in overcoming physical adversity, while Stefanos Tsitsipas highlighted his unique playing style. Andy Murray, Grigor Dimitrov, and Alex de Minaur also paid tribute to his skills, particularly his two-handed backhand.
Nishikori's place in tennis history is cemented by his achievements as the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam singles final, which he did at the 2014 US Open, losing to Marin Čilić. He was also the second Asian man, after Paradorn Srichaphan, to break into the Top 10. Throughout his career, Nishikori secured 12 ATP Tour titles from 27 finals and amassed over 450 tour-level match wins. He also reached two semi-finals at the ATP Finals and four Masters 1000 finals.
Repeated injuries significantly impacted the later stages of Nishikori's career, leading to extended absences from the tour and a drop in rankings; he entered his final event ranked No. 436. Despite these setbacks, he continued to compete, a trait particularly admired by Djokovic. For Tiafoe, the match carried the weight of ending the career of a tennis pioneer.