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Kei Nishikori posts his comeback schedule

By TieBreakNewsPosted on
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2014 US Open runner-up Kei Nishikori has announced he is targeting to make his long-awaited comeback at the Little Rock Challenger, which is starting on May 29th.

Nishikori, 33, hasn’t played since 2021 October.

In 2022 January, Nishikori had hip surgery.

Nishikori was aiming to return in the second part of the 2022 season but since then the Japanese has had several setbacks.

Now, Nishikori has a new target for a comeback as he is planning to compete in three consecutive Challenger tournaments starting in a month.

“Little update. Looking to come back at the following three challengers: May 29: Little Rock, Arkansas. June 5: Tyler, Texas. June 12: Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico. Will keep you posted on more details,” Nishikori tweeted.

Nishikori did not want to simply retire

After suffering several setbacks in his recovery last year, Nishikori started wondering whether it was time for him to end his pro tennis career.

In one of his interviews, Nishikori admit he did think about retirement.

But later, Nishikori corrected himself and said he did not want his career to finish that way.

“I casually mentioned that I thought about retirement, but afterwards I realized it would go into headlines, I was like, oops, I blew it. It was honest feeling, so I might not be able to hide it, or I might express it to wash away my gloomy feeling, I don’t know. I’ve made much effort and it’s a shame to bring it to naught due to injury. I’m not sure if this is the right way to say it, but I feel like I’m kinda talented and I have reached the position that not so many people can reach, that makes me feel like it’s too good to give up. If my career-high ranking were 100, I might not have thought like that, and it would be disappointing to end my career due to injury. Federer played tennis until 40, so I think I can keep playing five more years at the least and seven more years at the most,” Nishikori told Asahi Sports in late 2022.