Nishikori: 'I've got used to the journey, the struggle'

Madrid

Nishikori: 'I've got used to the journey, the struggle'

Japanese star set to compete in Madrid for the first time since 2021

Getty Images Kei Nishikori reached the final in Madrid in 2014. By Sam Jacot

In 2014, a 24-year-old Kei Nishikori stood on the brink of his maiden ATP Masters 1000 title at the Mutua Madrid Open. The Japanese star battled past Top 5 opponents Milos Raonic and David Ferrer en route to his first Masters 1000 final, before a combination of injury and Rafael Nadal halted his dream run in the championship match.

Of the six players Nishikori faced during that memorable week in Madrid, only two — Ivan Dodig, Raonic — remain active. The rest (Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, Feliciano Lopez, Ferrer, and Nadal) have since retired. Eleven years on, the 35-year-old is still going, still fighting, and still as determined as ever.

This week, Nishikori returns to the Spanish capital for the ninth time and first since 2021. Sitting beneath the evening sun at the Caja Magica, the former World No. 4 reflected on that 2014 breakthrough and the joy of being back.

“I have such good memories from that year,” Nishikori told ATPTour.com on Media Day. “I remember it was a close one with [Milos] Raonic, and then I beat [David] Ferrer, a Spaniard in Spain, to reach the final. I couldn’t quite do it in the final, but I have great memories of Madrid. I love this city, I feel good coming back here, and I’m excited to play this week, healthy again.”

Since his last appearance in Madrid in 2021, Nishikori’s journey has been marked by a string of setbacks and a test of his resilience. The former US Open finalist has faced a grueling list of injuries, undergoing hip surgery in 2022, then contending with right ankle and left knee issues in 2023. A groin injury followed, and he continues to manage ongoing shoulder pain.

Yet, in August last year, a fit-again Nishikori reminded the tennis world of his enduring quality. He reached his first Masters 1000 quarter-final in five years in Montreal, and backed it up with another quarter-final run at the ATP 500 in Tokyo. His success earned him a nomination for the 2024 ATP Comeback Player of the Year.

“You have to try to stay patient, otherwise it’s very difficult,” Nishikori said, reflecting on his road back. “I’ve done that, and I’ve got used to the journey, the struggle. My body is not the strongest, I know that, so I have to really take care of it. I know what needs to be done when I get hurt, rehab, recovery, and trying not to overthink. It’s important to stay positive and patient. That’s what I’ve learned. I just enjoy playing now.”

That mindset has helped him climb back inside the Top 100 — currently sitting at No. 64 in the PIF ATP Rankings. Though a recent shoulder issue after Houston required more rehab, Nishikori insists he's feeling fresh and ready to compete in Madrid.

“It feels like I'm back at the highest level again,” said Nishikori, who reached the final in Hong Kong earlier this season. “It’s been a long time coming, but I’m feeling good physically. I had some rehab on my shoulder over the past few weeks, but it’s feeling fresh — and I’m excited to play again.

“I’ve set some goals. One was to be back in the Top 50 and I’m nearly there. It would be nice to maybe win another tournament, but we’ll see.”

Much has changed in the tennis landscape since Nishikori last played in Madrid. Legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have retired, while a new generation, led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, has seized the spotlight with dominant runs at Majors and Masters 1000 events.

Having competed with both the old guard and the new wave, Nishikori is one of the rare players who has bridged two eras of the sport.

“The game feels more powerful now,” he said. “The baseline shots are stronger, the weight of shot… With Sinner and Alcaraz, they’ve got serious power. You see it across the younger players. Of course, I really enjoyed that earlier time with Novak, Federer, that whole group, but I think this new era is great too.

“It’s forced me to adjust my game, change how I play to stay competitive. And that challenge has been good motivation.”

In Madrid, Nishikori hopes to turn back the clock once more. He opens his campaign against Aleksandar Vukic in the first round on Thursday. A win would set up a potential fourth Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with Denis Shapovalov, a matchup Nishikori currently leads 2-1.

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