Nishikori wins five-set thriller after ‘almost’ retiring

Australian Open 2025

Dates: 12-26 January Venue: Melbourne Park

After saving two match points to win his first Australian Open title since 2019, Kei Nishikori claims he “almost” quit tennis last year.

The 35-year-old Japanese missed nine successive Grand Slams from September 2021 to May 2024 after lengthy injury struggles.

Making his first appearance in Melbourne for four years, Nishikori edged a five-set thriller against Brazil’s Thiago Monteiro 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 6-3.

Explaining how close he came to retiring, former US Open finalist Nishikori said: “I almost came back]and then] I got injured again.

” I was thinking, if I have maybe another surgery, then I think mentally I’m not able to fight any more. “

Nishikori, who lost to Marin Cilic in the 2014 US Open final, boasts a 29-8 win record in five-set matches at Tour level.

After making three significant quarter-finals in 2019, Nishikori’s career ended with major hip replacement surgery and an ankle injury, which was his last ATP title.

The world number four had to retire from training last year due to a shoulder problem before suffering a shoulder injury in Wimbledon’s first round.

” I wanted to play]again] in a big stadium like today, “Nishikori said.

When I was in rehab a year ago, that was my intention. I still believe I stand a chance to compete against these elite players.

Before taking advantage of his opponent’s injury struggles, Nishikori had to save two match points in the second set.

” I almost gave up at match point. But I somehow fought through, “said Nishikori, who plays American 12th seed Tommy Paul or Australia’s Chris O’Connell next.

” He deserved to win today but somehow I fought through. “

Casper Ruud, the sixth seed from Norway, won the Australian Open against Spain’s Jaume Munar in five sets, avoiding being the first top-10 player to lose.