It’s been a very long time since Kei Nishikori has been able to compete on the ATP World Tour at full health.
The now 33 year old winner of 12 ATP singles titles has endured three surgeries – two to his elbow and the most recent on his left hip in early 2022- and has not been able to play since 2021 Indian Wells, where he was defeated in the round of 64 by Dan Evans 64 36 46.
Nishikori was invited to the 2023 Elizabeth Moore Sarasota Open on Saturday for a court dedication in his name and honor. The 2014 US Open finalist will have a court named for him at the Sarasota Open ATP Challenger, contested in Payne Park in downtown Sarasota. Nishikori won the 2010 Sarasota Open singles title.
Nishikori was kind to do a second Biofile interview with me on Saturday – we had previously done a first Biofile in Delray Beach 2008 (after QF win vs Bobby Reynolds) when he won his first ATP title as a qualifier ranked 244 and just 18 years old. Kei recognized me on Saturday, fifteen years later, and he said with a smile, “I remember you.”
Here is the original Kei Nishikori Biofile interview from 2008
Read the Kei Nishikori updated Biofile later this week…
Nishikori said he’s been playing points at IMG and is aiming to play his first ATP tournament in a month or two, on red clay. Yesterday (Sunday) he trained at IMG on a red clay court with American prospect Toby Kodat. Nishikori’s coach Max Mirnyi was present at the practice.
IMG · Japan · Kei Nishikori · Sarasota Open · Uniqlo · US Open · Wilson
