Kei Nishikori denies rumors of retiring this week, admits retirement countdown has begun, will make announcement when decision is finalized.

Yesterday, news shocked the tennis world—Japanese star Kei Nishikori announced "retirement this week!" This sparked widespread discussion across the internet. However, today, Nishikori clarified the retirement rumors, emphasizing that while he is indeed approaching retirement, he currently has no concrete plans to retire.

This controversy originated from a report by France's largest sports media, L'Équipe. The report stated that Nishikori, long plagued by injuries, would officially end his professional career after the Sarasota Challenger this week. It wrote: "Kei Nishikori, the 2014 US Open runner-up and world No. 4 in 2015, is about to conclude his career—this is not unexpected, but Sarasota will be his final stop, the news is still shocking."

Once this report was published, it quickly caused a stir in the tennis community. However, many expressed skepticism at the time. Prominent Portuguese tennis journalist José Morgado immediately voiced doubts: "This is a strange claim." Shortly after, he updated on social media: "Nishikori will not retire in Sarasota, his agent has clearly confirmed this to me."

Nishikori's personal response then completely paused this controversy. On April 5 (Beijing time), Nishikori publicly stated on Twitter: "Hello everyone, there is a lot of false information circulating. Yes, I will participate in the Sarasota Challenger at the IMG Academy. No, I will not retire this week." In his post, he thanked fans for their concern and also left a statement for the public to watch closely—"I will personally update you on this matter in the near future."

Less than 24 hours after this clarification post was issued, L'Équipe subsequently corrected its report, stating: "Nishikori will not put down his racket in the coming days, his agent has denied the retirement to close journalists."

As the only Japanese male player to reach the world top five in singles in the Open Era (peak ranking No. 4 in 2015), Nishikori's career has been brilliant yet burdensome. Twelve ATP Tour titles, 2014 US Open runner-up, 2016 Rio Olympics bronze medal—behind these achievements lies a long history of injuries.

Back in 2017, he ended his season early due to a torn tendon in his right wrist; after the 2019 US Open, he missed the remainder of the season due to a right elbow injury; in 2022, he was unable to compete for the entire year, resulting in his ATP ranking points being reset. In January this year, he withdrew before the Australian Open qualifiers due to right shoulder pain. Amid repeated cycles of injury and comeback, this 36-year-old veteran's world ranking has now fallen to No. 417.

Last year, during an interview with Japanese media, he admitted: "Last year I first seriously considered retirement, and after Cincinnati this year, I thought very deeply about it." But he ultimately chose to continue competing: "I always feel that, with my talent, it shouldn't end like this. Retiring due to injury is the worst outcome an athlete can face, I don't want to say goodbye to tennis this way."

Regarding Nishikori, the tennis commentary community generally agrees that although he denied "retiring this week," his professional career is indeed entering its final phase.

The well-known tennis media Tennis Temple analyzed that Nishikori's current world ranking is only No. 417, he has been away from the court for months, and his form continues to decline. The report stated that last year's brief resurgence, including returning to the ATP top 100 and winning the runner-up in Hong Kong, did not last, and injuries again halted his upward momentum. The news of the Sarasota Challenger being his potential final career match "was denied by his agent and multiple journalists," but the possibility of retirement still hangs.

One Japanese fan wrote: "After reading his post, I couldn't stop crying. You said 'will not retire this week,' but I read what 'not this week' implies... Thank you Kei, you are my youth." Another fan recalled: "On the day of the 2014 US Open final, I woke up at 4 a.m. to watch. Although you lost, you made me believe Asians can also stand at the top of the world." A netizen also analyzed: "Ranking dropped to 417, injuries recurring, age 36... Given Nishikori's character, if he weren't truly unable to continue, he would never consider retirement. He is too proud, and loves tennis too much."

The Sarasota Challenger begins on April 6, with Nishikori facing world No. 339 Argentine player Facundo Díaz Acosta in the first round. This is a lucky place where he won the title in 2010, and the venue even has a court named "Kei Nishikori Court." Fans understand in their hearts that a legend who brought supreme glory to Asian tennis is making final preparations for his career. That statement "I will personally tell you soon" is both a response to external speculation and possibly a forthcoming farewell letter. Regardless, he has already written a legendary chapter in Asian tennis. Every match he plays deserves our full appreciation.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Lu Xiaotian)