Kei Nishikori is preparing for an emotional final appearance on the ATP Tour, with the Japanese tennis icon set to bid farewell to professional tennis at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open in Tokyo.
The 36-year-old will end his career at the tournament that has played such an important role in his journey, giving Japanese fans one final opportunity to watch one of the country's greatest tennis players compete on home soil.
Nishikori admitted that the occasion has brought a mixture of excitement and sadness.
"Very emotional. I have mixed feelings," he said.
"I am excited to play in Japan. But I also know this is my last moment. So, it's kind of sad."
Tokyo has been one of the defining settings of Nishikori's career. He has won the Japan Open twice and owns a 24-9 record at the tournament, making it one of the venues where he has enjoyed the greatest success.
His first title came in 2012, when he defeated then-world No. 6 Milos Raonic in a three-set final. For Nishikori, the victory carried significance far beyond another trophy.
"That was my biggest moment here," he recalled, describing the achievement as being comparable to winning a Grand Slam for a Japanese player.
Two years later, Nishikori returned to the top of the Tokyo event. His 2014 title came during the finest season of his career, when he also reached the US Open final and won four ATP Tour titles.
"Winning a title here again, it's not easy, but I did it," Nishikori said.
Source: ATP Tour
Those victories were made even more memorable by the support from the home crowd, something Nishikori has repeatedly credited throughout his career.
"These fans always pushed me to the end," he said, recalling the atmosphere during his 2012 victory over Raonic.
Now, Nishikori will have one final match in Tokyo, with American Frances Tiafoe waiting on the other side of the net.
The matchup gives the Japanese veteran a demanding final challenge, but it also provides a fitting stage for the end of a career that has seen him become a global star and a trailblazer for Japanese tennis.
Nishikori reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 and won 12 ATP Tour titles, while his run to the 2014 US Open final made him the first Japanese man to reach a Grand Slam singles final.
His career was also repeatedly interrupted by injuries, but he continued to return to the tour and compete at the highest level.
This time, however, there will be no comeback waiting around the corner.
For Nishikori, the Japan Open represents a final chance to compete in front of the supporters who have followed him throughout his career. The result against Tiafoe will matter, but the significance of the occasion will extend well beyond the scoreboard.
After two titles, countless memorable matches and years of carrying the hopes of Japanese tennis, Nishikori will take to the Tokyo court one final time.
