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Nishikori holds retirement ceremony in Tokyo, says “I love tennis”
En breve
Kei Nishikori, 36, a former world No. 4, took part in a retirement ceremony at Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum, the venue of his final tournament, the Kinoshita Group Japan Open. In a speech he said he loved tennis and was happy to have run toward his goals, and the Japan Tennis Association gave him a special honorary award. One report said his final match was a first-round loss to Frances Tiafoe, and focused on his wife's appearance at the ceremony after a reported scandal.
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Kei Nishikori, 36, a former world No. 4, took part in a retirement ceremony at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, the venue of his final tournament, the Kinoshita Group Japan Open, Nikkei reported. In his speech, he said, “I love tennis. I was truly happy to have been able to run toward my goals,” the report said. Nishi-Nippon Shimbun carried the same remark in its headline. [ 1 , 2 ]
Nikkei reported that his family and parents attended, along with Masaaki Morita, the former Japan Tennis Association president who backed his move to a prestigious Florida academy at 13, and his coach Michael Chang. Morita said Nishikori had become a wonderful player representing Japan, and Chang said he had never failed to put in the effort success requires. The association gave him a special honorary award, and rivals including Rafael Nadal sent video messages, according to the report. [ 2 ]
Nikkei listed Nishikori's career highlights as runner-up at the 2014 US Open, the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam singles final, and bronze at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics, Japan's first medal in the event in 96 years. He said he had many regrets and would have liked better results, but had a very enjoyable tennis life, and added that he wants to help tennis in Japan and Asia become stronger. [ 2 ]
The documents differ on the timing. Nikkei reported the ceremony took place on October 6. Livedoor News said his final match came on October 1, a first-round loss to world No. 8 Frances Tiafoe, and that the retirement ceremony followed that match. Livedoor News said the arena was full despite the match being on a weekday. [ 2 , 3 ]
Livedoor News reported that the ceremony was hosted by Shuzo Matsuoka, that Kimiko Date and Ai Sugiyama presented flowers, and that Nishikori wept. It said his wife, former model Mai Yamauchi, who worked under the name Akiko Mizuki and married him in 2020, came to courtside and embraced him while wiping away tears. The report said she had stayed silent since Weekly Bunshin reported an affair with a younger model in June last year, which Nishikori admitted and apologised for through his agency; Livedoor News added that he announced in May this year that he would retire at the end of the season, and that his final world ranking was 436th as of October 2. [ 3 ]
Por qué importa
Nishikori was described by Nikkei as Japan's long-time leading men's player, the first Japanese man to reach a Grand Slam singles final and an Olympic bronze medallist, so his retirement closes a chapter for Japanese men's tennis. He said he wants to help tennis in Japan and Asia become stronger, indicating he intends to stay involved. The community outlet's focus on his family life shows the ceremony was also read as a personal turning point after a reported scandal.
Datos clave
- Kei Nishikori, 36, a former world No. 4, attended a retirement ceremony at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo, the venue of his last tournament, the Kinoshita Group Japan Open. [ 1 , 2 ]
- In his speech he said “I love tennis” and that he was truly happy to have been able to run toward his goals. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The Japan Tennis Association gave him a special honorary award, and Rafael Nadal and others sent video messages. [ 2 ]
- Nishikori was the 2014 US Open runner-up, the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam singles final, and won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics. [ 2 ]
- Livedoor News reported that his final match was a first-round loss to world No. 8 Frances Tiafoe on October 1. [ 3 ]
- Nishikori said he has many regrets and would have liked better results, but had a very enjoyable tennis career. [ 2 ]
- He said he wants to help tennis in Japan and Asia become stronger. [ 2 ]
Confirmado por varias fuentes
Aún sin aclarar
- The date of the retirement ceremony and of his final match. Nikkei reported the ceremony took place on October 6, while Livedoor News said his final match was on October 1 and that the ceremony followed the match; the documents do not reconcile the two accounts.
- Nishikori's final world ranking of 436th as of October 2. Stated only by Livedoor News, with no second outlet.
- The reported affair with a younger model and his apology through his agency. Reported only by Livedoor News, which attributes the original report to Weekly Bunshin.
- Whether his wife attended the ceremony. Described only by Livedoor News.
- Nishikori is a former world No. 4. Reported by a single source so far
Qué dicen los medios locales
Cronología, hora local
- Nishikori plays his final match at the Japan Open in Tokyo, losing in the first round to Frances Tiafoe, according to Livedoor News; no time is given. [ 3 ]
- Nishi-Nippon Shimbun publishes its report on the retirement ceremony at Ariake Coliseum. [ 1 ]
- Nikkei publishes its account of the ceremony, including Nishikori's remarks and the tributes. [ 2 ]
- Livedoor News publishes a report on the ceremony and Nishikori's wife's appearance, dated October 7. [ 3 ]