Status: ATP #19. Winner of two ATP singles titles including 2012 Rakuten Japen Open – the first Japanese player in history to win the historic event.
Ht: 5-10 Wt: 155
DOB: December 29, 1989 In: Shimane, Japan
Tennis Inspirations: “Roger Federer. (Why?) He was #1 and I had chance to hit with him in 2007. He’s so nice and he’s so talented.”
Nicknames: “They just call me Kei.”
Hobbies/Interests: “I love music and soccer.”
Last Book Read: “It’s Japanese, it’s called Smile.”
First Tennis Memory: “I used to practice with my family, my sister (Reina) and my dad (Kiyoshi), just for fun. I was winning all the Japanese junior tournaments. (All?) Almost all yeah.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Just talk to my coach about opponent, what he’s like. I just listen to music also.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “When I won the Japan Open. Amazing feeling to win in Tokyo. Very very happy happy.”
Most Painful Moment: “When I have injury.”
Favorite Tournament: “I like French Open. I won doubles in juniors. I like clay courts.”
Favorite Meal: “I like spaghetti. I can eat every day.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Strawberry.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “One time I was hitting serve in practice. And my coach was looking at the other court, talking to the friends. And I hit his nuts [smiles].”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I lost to Tursunov. Easy and he was toying with me. I couldn’t do anything. (What was he doing?) He wasn’t even trying but he hits ace and just I couldn’t do anything.”
Toughest Competitors: “I hate to play the guys that don’t miss.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “I don’t know, so many guys at the Academy (IMG), there’s like ten good guys.”
Strangest Match: “It’s in Indianapolis. I was sick first round, I was gonna retire. But – I don’t know what happened. I was so sick I couldn’t breathe. I won the match (vs. Falla). It was two days in a row I was sick.”
First Famous Tennis Player You Met Or Encountered: “Monica Seles. I got to hit with her when she was in Japan for a tournament.”
Best You Ever Felt On Court: “I think at U.S. Open round of 16 against David Ferrer (2008). I won the first two sets and the fourth set was back and forth. We didn’t know who was going to win.”
On Popularity In Japan: “Here in U.S. I can walk around and nobody knows who I am. It’s different in Japan. I have to wear a hat and glasses. If I stayed there all the time I might go crazy.”
