Kei Nishikori Announces Retirement from Tennis

Kei Nishikori, a former top tennis player and 2014 U.S. Open finalist, has announced his retirement from professional tennis at the end of this season. The 36-year-old athlete has been plagued by injuries in recent years, including a significant right shoulder injury keeping him from the Australian Open this year.

In a heartfelt announcement on social media, Kei Nishikori, once ranked No. 4 in the world and a finalist in the 2014 U.S. Open, revealed his plans to retire from tennis at the end of the current season. The Japanese tennis icon, aged 36, has battled a series of injuries over recent years, severely impacting his career.

Nishikori, who was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open in January due to persistent right shoulder issues, also missed out on last year's U.S. Open. He first made his professional debut in 2007 and became notable for reaching the final of a Grand Slam men's singles tournament in the 2014 U.S. Open, where he lost to Croatia's Marin Cilic.

Reflecting on his career, which includes a bronze medal win at the 2016 Rio Olympics after defeating Rafael Nadal, Nishikori expressed gratitude and pride in his journey. "Looking back on everything up to this point, I can proudly say I gave it my all," he stated on social media platform X.