Kei Nishikori ends ATP career after Tokyo defeat

Kei Nishikori’s ATP career has ended at the Tokyo tournament, where a home invitation gave him one last main-draw appearance. The 36-year-old Japanese player had been eliminated in qualifying at his previous three events, but received entry into the competition he had played 12 times. His defeat by Frances Tiafoe brought the 20-year run that began in Kyoto in March 2006 to a close.

Tiafoe, the world No. 8, won 6-4, 6-4 in 74 minutes. Nishikori recovered from an early 0-2 deficit to level the opening set, but Tiafoe broke again at 3-3 and took control. The American then made the decisive break at 1-1 in the second set and protected it, converting his first match point at 5-4. Nishikori received an emotional on-court ceremony afterward.

Nishikori leaves as a former world No. 4, a 2014 US Open finalist and a 12-time ATP champion. His titles came at 250 and 500-level events, while injuries disrupted the later phase of his career. He was unable to reach another Grand Slam semi-final, losing nine quarter-finals, including seven against Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer or Andy Murray. His best result at the other majors was therefore a quarter-final.