Kei Nishikori to return at US Open following hip surgery

Kei Nishikori admits that he is approaching the closing stages of his professional career as he outlines plans for a return later this season.

The former world No.4 hasn’t played a professional match since last year’s Indian Wells Open which was held during October. The 32-year-old has been sidelined from action due to a hip problem. After considering ‘several different options’ with his team, Nishikori opted to undergo arthroscopic left hip surgery in January. At the time of the procedure, it was estimated that he would be out of action for roughly six months.

Providing an update on his current health, Nishikori says he hopes to be fit again in time for the US Open in September. He said:

“If all goes well, I might be able to play the US Open this year. [I’m] trying to be ready in time for the Rakuten Japan Open [in October] if it is held this year. I don’t think I have ten more years in my tennis career, so I want to live each day to the fullest.”

The injury-stricken Japanese player has suffered various blows during his career. Prior to his hip surgery, he also underwent an operation on his wrist in 2017 and his elbow in 2019. He has been ranked continuously outside the world’s top 20 since January 2020.