Former World No.4 Kei Nishikori has announced that he will be calling time on his career at the end of the 2026 tennis season.
The only Japanese men’s singles player in the Open Era to reach that ranking milestone will retire almost two decades after turning professional, in a career that saw him win twelve ATP Tour titles.
Kei Nishikori Announces Retirement from Tennis
Nishikori shared the news across his social media platforms in the early hours of May (in Japan), confirming that it is time to hang up the racket.
“Today, I have an announcement. I have decided to retire from professional tennis at the end of this season.
Since I was a child, I have been passionate about tennis and I have continued to pursue it with only one dream in my heart: ‘I want to compete on the world stage.’ Reaching the ATP Tour, playing at the highest level of competition, and maintaining a presence in The top 10 is something I am extremely proud of. Whether in victory or defeat, the special atmosphere I felt in packed arenas is irreplaceable. There were also times when I was overwhelmed by frustration and anxiety due to repeated injuries that prevented me from playing as I wanted.
Even so, my love for tennis and my belief that I could become a stronger player always brought me back to the court. I feel that all of these experiences have enriched and shaped my life. I am deeply grateful to my family and to everyone who has supported me at all times.
To be honest, I still wish I could continue my playing career. Even so, looking back on everything up to this point, I can proudly say that I gave it my all. I am truly happy to have walked this path. I will cherish every moment of the remaining matches and fight to the very end.
Kei Nishikori”
A Trailblazer for Asian Men’s Tennis
The closing lines of his statement carry particular significance, as many believe this retirement is driven as much by age and accumulated mileage as it is by injuries. Over the past half-decade, Nishikori has struggled with persistent physical issues that have forced him to miss considerable time on court. While his passion for the game never faded, his body increasingly made it difficult to compete at the highest level consistently.
Despite those challenges, Nishikori will retire as one of the most successful Asian men’s players of the Open Era. Although he never captured a Slam title, he will always be remembered for his incredible run at the 2014 US Open, where he defeated Novak Djokovic in a grueling four-set semifinal to reach his first Major final.
Beyond that breakthrough, Nishikori reached at least the quarterfinals at all four Slams, showcasing remarkable consistency across surfaces. At the Masters 1000 level, he reached four finals, facing either Rafael Nadal or Djokovic in each, though a title at that level ultimately eluded him.
Arguably, the proudest moment of his career came at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where Nishikori defeated Nadal in a thrilling three-set Bronze Medal match to secure a historic podium finish for Japan. Now, a decade later, Nishikori prepares for his final chapter on Tour. As one of the defining faces of men’s tennis in Asia for his generation, his legacy extends far beyond titles–inspiring a new wave of players across the region.
Main Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports