Kei Nishikori retires after 6-4, 6-4 loss to Frances Tiafoe at Japan Open

Kei Nishikori has ended his professional tennis career. The 36-year-old lost 6-4, 6-4 to Frances Tiafoe at the Japan Open in Tokyo. BBC Sport and ESPN both report the result and the retirement.

Nishikori reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4. In 2014 he became the first Japanese man to reach a Grand Slam singles final. He lost that US Open final to Marin Cilic. He won the Japan Open title in 2012 and 2014. Injuries affected him during a professional career of about 19 years.

The final match

According to ESPN, it was a first-round match played on Thursday. ESPN reports that Tiafoe was the second seed and that Nishikori entered on a wild card. According to BBC Sport, Tiafoe is ranked world No. 8.

BBC Sport reports that Nishikori did a lap of honour of the main showcourt after the loss. A video was played in which Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Michael Chang congratulated him, according to BBC Sport.

ESPN reports that Nishikori announced in May that he planned to retire at the end of the year. The reports do not explain why his career ended at the Japan Open instead. ESPN also reports that he missed the Australian Open in January because of right shoulder pain, and that he missed the previous year's US Open.

Career record

According to BBC Sport, Nishikori started playing tennis aged five and moved to Florida at 14 to train. BBC Sport reports that he won 12 ATP Tour singles titles, recorded 40 victories over top-10 players and was the first Japanese man to reach the top 10. It reports that his 72.5% win rate in deciding sets is the third best in ATP Tour history, behind Bjorn Borg (73.4%) and John McEnroe (72.8%).

BBC Sport reports that he beat Djokovic, then world No. 1, on his way to the 2014 US Open final. ESPN reports that he lost the final in straight sets. According to BBC Sport, he defeated Rafael Nadal to win Olympic bronze at the 2016 Games in Rio. BBC Sport says he inspired numerous players, including four-time major champion Naomi Osaka.

What each side says

BBC Sport quoted Nishikori as saying: "I wish I could have put in a slightly more convincing performance. But I'm happy I kept fighting right to the end." It also quoted him as saying: "Playing in Japan is always a special moment".

Earlier in the week, ESPN quoted him as saying: "I am excited to play in Japan, but I also know this is my last moment" and "So it's kind of sad."

In the video tribute, Djokovic praised Nishikori's resilience. BBC Sport quoted him as saying: "You're going to get the farewell you absolutely deserve."

The reports do not include any comment from Tiafoe, Nishikori's plans after retirement, or his ranking at the time of his final match.

Analysis

Nishikori's retirement closes a career that, according to the reports reviewed by Vocemundi, set several firsts for Japanese men's tennis. How his legacy is measured may depend on the emphasis chosen: his 2014 US Open final and top-10 ranking, or the injuries that interrupted his career. BBC Sport credits him with inspiring other players, including Naomi Osaka, but the reports do not measure any wider effect on tennis in Japan. One open question is whether he will take on a role in the sport. The reports do not describe his plans, so any such scenario remains unconfirmed.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.