Kei Nishikori reveals he "seriously considered" ending his career after the 2025 Cincinnati Masters, but decided against doing so because he didn't want to see his tennis journey end with an injury.
After battling serious hip, ankle and shoulder injuries in the couple of years, the 2014 US Open finalist managed to start his 2025 season in time.
Nishikori made a promising start to 2025, finishing as runner-up at the ATP 250 tournament in Hong Kong. The former world No. 4 continued to regularly for the next couple of months before picking up a back injury and withdrawing from the French Open.
After missing the French Open and Wimbledon, Nishikori tried to come back in early August at the Cincinnati Masters. The Japanese was bounced by Ugo Carabelli in the first round - but that wasn't the worst thing - as he realized that his back wasn't where it needed to be and he had to pull out of the US Open.
Nishikori, who turned 36 years on Monday, returned to action at the Yokohoma Challanger in late November. That was pretty much a test tournament, where the former world No. 4 won two matches before losing in the quarterfinal.
Nishikori: I seriously considered retirement after Cincinnati
"Thought about retirement for the first time last year. After Cincy this year I considered about it seriously. I've got through injury-comeback cycle countless timies for the last three years, was forced to face the reality that I'd struggle for one more year until my tennis is back," the 36-year-old told Japanese media.
"But I've decided to keep going... Partly because of my pride/willfulness. And I always feel like my talent is too good to end like that. Ending his career due to injury is the worst case for any athlete, I don't want to be done with tennis like this."
Nishikori is currently ranked at No. 156 in the world. He will start his season by playing in the Australian Open qualifying event.
