Japanese star Kei Nishikori has recently shared his thoughts on the current elite players of the ATP, Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, comparing them to Swiss legend Roger Federer, as they are creating a similar wonder on the court with their excellent and notable performances.
The current World No. 156 was last seen in action at the 2025 Yokohama Keio Challenger, after a break of three months.
Kei Nishikori Reflects on the Magic Created by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz
Nishikori, who last participated in the Cincinnati Open on the ATP Tour, had also missed the North American hard-court swing and the Asian swing due to back injuries. He has recently shared his thoughts on the impressive performances delivered by Sinner and Alcaraz during his recent interview with WOWOW.
The Matsue, Shimane, native reflected on his thoughts, highlighting the reason why matches of the top two are delightful to watch, comparing them to legendary player Roger Federer, who is known for his creative and superb form, with his fluid movements on the court.
He added, “It’s simply fun to watch. They give you the feeling that you’re watching a Federer match, wondering what kind of shots they’ll make. There are other strong players like Fritz and Draper, but I think those two are the ones who get you excited. Their timing is fast, and the trajectory and accuracy of their shots are amazing.”
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Furthermore, Nishikori also shared that apart from them, American star Taylor Fritz and British star Jack Draper are also shining notably on the court. Still, Sinner and Alcaraz stand out when it comes to making the game special.
Kei Nishikori Shares His Vision for His Next Season
During the same interview, Nishikori also shared that he aims to play more matches throughout the year, as he missed many in his last season due to recurring back injuries. He further shared that he will focus on his health to ensure a return to his complete form.
“First of all, I want to heal my injury and play as many matches as possible. I’m not able to play as many matches as I used to. I’ll be monitoring my physical condition and consulting with my coaches, and I want to get back to my normal tennis form and achieve good results in the tournaments I can play.”
He will return for the next season with the year’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, which will be held from January 12 to February 1, 2026.