Japan’s tennis star Kei Nishikori has been ruled out of the
Australian Open because of fitness concerns. The 33-year-old has not played any
tennis since July after suffering a knee injury.
It was earlier reported that Nishikori
will target a return to professional tennis in the first Grand Slam of 2024.
However, the former world number four has now stated that he will not feature
in the competition this year and is now eyeing a return in February or March
2024.
"Think I won't be ready in
time for the Australian Open. Now my goal is to play Challengers in the US and
then to play Indian Wells or Miami. I want to be back in February or March,
I've started seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” he said.
Nishikori is one of the most
successful Japanese players to have played in the men’s singles category in the
Open era. His most successful outing in a major tournament came in 2014 when he
finished as the runner-up in the US Open where he lost to Croatia’s Marin Cilic
in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-3, 6-3.
Azeem Siddiqui is a seasoned sports journalist and data analyst with a strong background in both digital media and live sports production.
He began his journalism career working with partners of The New York Times and has since contributed to several leading international sports publications, including Fox Sports Asia, Calciomercato, and GiveMeSport. Since 2023, Azeem has been part of the TennisUpToDate team, where he has played a key role in sustaining the platform’s growth and ensuring tennis fans receive timely and reliable coverage of the sport’s biggest stories.
In addition to his editorial work, Azeem has extensive experience as a data analyst in live sports broadcasting—particularly in cricket—where he combines analytical precision with creative storytelling. He has collaborated with multiple production companies and cricket boards worldwide, delivering real-time insights and data-driven narratives during live match coverage.