Kei Nishikori simply couldn’t catch a break.
After sitting out the 2022 season following hip surgical procedure, the Japanese star was in Bradenton, Florida working arduous on the finish of the 12 months to be prepared for a return initially of 2023. That’s when a seemingly minor ankle sprain spiralled into one thing far more critical.
“After eight or 9 months of rehab after the hip surgical procedure I used to be virtually prepared to return again after I sprained my ankle,” Nishikori informed ATPTour.com Tuesday on the Atlanta Open. “It turned out to be sophisticated and far worse than what I first noticed. That set me again one other 4 or 5 months.
“Once or twice I virtually thought [about retiring]. It was mentally surprising to be so shut after which to have a second damage. I wasn’t certain if I might come again from that. So that was the hardest time.”
Little surprise then that Nishikori’s first tour-level win (over Jordan Thompson Tuesday within the first spherical of the Atlanta Open) since Indian Wells in October 2021 was an emotional expertise.
“It was very emotional after the whole lot that it took to get again,” he stated after the 7-6(5), 7-6(5) victory in two hours and 25 minutes within the warmth. “I’m simply so glad to be again right here taking part in. I’ve zero stress and might play free. I’m simply having enjoyable on the court docket. And I’m excited to be taking part in in opposition to the highest guys once more.
“I’ve had an excellent staff round me and I’m very grateful that Max and Michael stored encouraging me. They nonetheless consider in me and I consider it too.”
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Max Mirnyi, a part of Nishikori’s teaching staff with Michael Chang, has been on the 33-year-old’s aspect through the powerful moments and was readily available Tuesday in Atlanta for the comeback win.
“He by no means overlooked the sunshine on the finish of the tunnel. It will be gruelling and difficult to remain motivated, however he was by no means doubtful and stored on working,” stated Mirnyi, who performed 486 singles matches and 1125 doubles matches throughout his profession. “He all the time noticed that this was a risk. He was very skilled all through this time and to see him again and competing on the Tour is nice.”
Former World No. 4 Nishikori, who finds himself at No. 439 within the Pepperstone ATP Rankings, started his comeback in mid-June in Puerto Rico on the ATP Challenger Tour. He was trying to find matches to get some rhythm and construct confidence. The determination to begin within the minor leagues paid fast dividends as he gained the title for the lack of only one set. He then acquired one other 5 matches beneath his belt at Challengers in Bloomfield Hills, MI, and Chicago earlier than heading to Atlanta.
Kei Nishikori in motion on the Chicago Challenger. Photo: Daniel Westhoff
“I used to be simply anticipating to play one match, possibly two, however with every match I performed higher and began feeling the arrogance,” Nishikori stated of his Challenger Tour run. “I began getting the sensation of being again taking part in matches, feeling the nerves. I used to be very glad to win a title in my first event again after which I misplaced to a few good gamers after that. I wasn’t too unhappy about it. I used to be simply excited to be taking part in.”
Nishikori determined to have hip surgical procedure in February 2022 to keep away from the destiny of Bob Bryan and Andy Murray, who’re each sporting steel hips. The former US Open finalist had related surgical procedure at an analogous time to James Duckworth, though the Australian made it again on Tour just some months later in May.
“My hip was not too dangerous, not like Andy,” Nishikori stated. “We shaved some bone away and in addition I had a little bit little bit of a tear within the labrum. Had I stored taking part in with out the surgical procedure then I could have needed to do one thing like Andy did. But luckily, I came upon earlier than it acquired actually dangerous.
“I talked to James Duckworth, who had the identical surgical procedure and I used to be actually stunned how rapidly he got here again to taking part in. But he informed me that he had some points, so maybe he got here again too early. I made a decision to take a little bit extra time.
“One of my greatest doubts was whether or not I might be capable of transfer like I used to. And additionally that you just lose the sensation for the ball on the racquet and you’ve got zero confidence. You’ve acquired to construct once more from zero, so it’s a troublesome psychological problem.”
If his physique cooperates, Nishikori says that he has the starvation to play for a number of extra years. One motivating issue is to compete in opposition to the sport’s new faces who’ve climbed into the Top 10 throughout his absence.
“One factor I hope to get the prospect to do is to play in opposition to these nice younger gamers like Alcaraz, Rune and Sinner in some unspecified time in the future,” he stated. “That’s a part of my motivation to attempt to play for just a few extra years.
“I don’t assume now we have seen anybody like Alcaraz earlier than. He seems to be like Rafa however he has extra velocity. Good defence, unbelievable forehand and he has an excellent backhand too.”
Mirnyi, affectionately generally known as ‘The Beast’, stated that Team Nishikori is happy with the progress, however is in no rush to set lofty objectives for the rest of this 12 months and subsequent.
“There was plenty of persistence concerned and it is nice to see him again taking part in on the Tour stage,” Mirnyi stated. “He might not be again to his greatest but however most significantly he’s wholesome. Including the Challengers, he is been again for 3 or 4 weeks and he’s feeling sturdy and his physique is permitting him to play a troublesome match just like the one he simply performed as we speak.”
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Source: www.atptour.com