Kei Nishikori reveals early 2021 schedule

Former world no. 4 and a Major finalist Kei Nishikori will compete at six tournaments in the opening three months of the new season, kicking off the 2021 action at the ATP Cup.

The 31-year-old decided to withdraw from the season's opening event in Delray Beach, remaining on the practice court and entering his first ATP Cup in the opening week of February, missing the ATP team event in 2020 due to an injury. After that, world no. 41 will enter the Australian Open before a packed March schedule that includes Rotterdam, Marseille, Dubai and Miami.

Kei is hoping for a strong and injury-free season after playing only six matches in 2020, finishing his season at Roland Garros after withdrawing from the Paris Masters and Sofia Open due to shoulder issues.

Kei started to struggle with injuries in 2016, never reaching the level from the previous two years and experiencing many setbacks. In October last year, the Japanese underwent surgery and stayed away from the court for almost a year, never finding the desired rhythm in 2020 and switching focus on 2021.

Nishikori has won only two ATP titles after 2015, with the most recent one coming in Brisbane two years ago.