Kei Nishikori's Career Highlights at Japan Open

Nearly two decades ago, Kei Nishikori made his first appearance on the ATP Tour. His debut came at the 2007 Countrywide Classic, where he faced South African Wesley Moodie and lost in the opening round.

Shortly after, Nishikori secured his first ATP wins at the 2007 Indianapolis Tennis Classic, advancing to the quarter-finals. On Thursday, Nishikori ended his professional tennis career following a 6-4, 6-4 defeat by US Open semi-finalist Frances Tiafoe in the Japan Open first round.

This loss marked almost 19 years since Nishikori’s first Japan Open match.

Nishikori's First Japan Open Appearance

Back in 2007, Nishikori entered the Japan Open thanks to a wildcard. He faced American Zach Fleishman, who was ranked 127th globally. Fleishman had a standout year in 2007, including a notable victory over world number six Fernando Gonzalez at the Countrywide Classic.

The match proved challenging for the 17-year-old Nishikori, as Fleishman won 7-6, 3-6, 6-1. Fleishman’s run ended the next round against French player Richard Gasquet, who retired in 2025.

Nishikori returned the following year with better results. At 18, he beat Robert Kendrick and Guillermo Garcia Lopez before falling to Gasquet in the quarter-finals.

Japan Open Victories and Milestones

Kei Nishikori captured the Japan Open title twice, first in 2012 and again in 2014.

His 2012 campaign saw wins over Go Soeda, Tommy Robredo, Tomas Berdych, and Marcos Baghdatis, culminating in a final victory against Milos Raonic, a future Wimbledon finalist, with a score of 7-6, 3-6, 6-0.

"It's absolutely unbelievable to win in Japan," Nishikori said after the 2012 triumph, according to Sky Sports. "To win an ATP 500 event will give me more confidence in the future. I'd never played well in Japan but since beating (second seed) Tomas Berdych in the quarter-finals, I felt I'd broken that wall down. To reach the top 10 is my target now."

In 2014, Nishikori once again overcame Raonic in the final, this time 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.

This achievement placed Nishikori among only four players to have won multiple Japan Open titles. The other multiple champions are Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, and Stefan Edberg — with Edberg holding the record for the most titles at four.

Nishikori also reached the 2018 final but lost to Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.