Injury-Hit Kei Nishikori, 36, to Retire at Japan Open After 20-Year Career

Kei Nishikori will conclude his professional career at the Japan Open in Tokyo after receiving a wild card invitation for the event that begins September 4. The ATP Tour confirmed the wild card on Tuesday. Nishikori, 36, made his professional debut in 2007 and has played a 20-year career that included a run to the 2014 US Open final.

He lost that final in straight sets to Marin Cilic. Nishikori also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics after defeating Rafael Nadal. Nishikori was the highest-ranked Japanese man in ATP history.

He reached No. 4 in the world on two occasions. Michael Chang, who coached Nishikori, told The Associated Press at the French Open that reaching that ranking level during the era of the Big Three and Big Four was not easy.

Chang said Nishikori has nothing but to feel great about what he has accomplished in tennis. Chang added that Nishikori is approaching a different stage in his life and that he thinks his former player will have more important and more exciting things with his young family. Chang said he hopes Nishikori finishes out well and that Tokyo gives him a good send-off because he deserves it.

After struggling with injuries, Nishikori has played exclusively on the lower-tier Challenger tour this year. Naomi Osaka said being Japanese and seeing what Nishikori achieved was inspiring because Japanese tennis had not gone as far before. Osaka said she wanted to stand next to him as the female representative and that she is grateful for everything he has done.

Osaka added that she wants to see him play tennis one more time.