Kei Nishikori reveals he is playing at this week's Yokohama Challenger because he is already thinking about 2026 and wants to get some matches after being sidelined for three months.
After losing to Ugo Carabelli in the Cincinnati Masters first round in early August, Nishikori was forced to miss the rest of the North American hard court swing - including the US Open - due to a back injury. Unfortunately for the 35-year-old Japanese, the same injury kept him out of the Asian swing.
Although the 2025 season is finished for the majority of players, Nishikori - who plummeted to No. 158 in the world - is playing this week after returning to action at the Yokahama Challenger.
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Nishikori: If I returned in January, it would have been a long pause
"Wanted to play three Challengers in Japan, but I made it just in time for the Yokohama Challenger. If I can play even one match, it'd be helpful to be ready for next year, that's why I'm playing. It'd be too long off for me if I come back after when protected ranking starts working," the 2014 US Open finalist told Japanese media.
"Considering it a bit, but it was not an option. I don't have any vision or goal for next year. Still trying to figure it out, talking to myself. I just want to play as many matches as possible. I have to play Australian Open qualies, but just hope I can play this kind of big tournaments."
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In his first match back, Nishikori struggled against Taisei Ichikawa but ultimately managed to shake off the rust and beat the world No. 793 4-6 6-1 6-1. The former world No. 4 is set to meet 374th-ranked Sanhua Shin in the Yokohama Challenger round-of-16.
