Nishikori on toll of injury-hit season: "I have been very depressed in these last months"

Kei Nishikori has not played at all this year as his final event was in the second half of last year and it's left him quite depressed.

Nishikori was part of the Uniqlo event in Japan that also featured ambassador Roger Federer and he reflected on his season that saw him miss the entirety of it. No tennis for Nishikori this year as he was making his way back from various injuries and it's taken a toll on his mental health as well:

"I have been very depressed in the last few months, I even thought about retiring. From July to September I was in rehabilitation at home. It's three months when I can't play tennis, I can't even take a racket. Mentally, it's very complicated. Of course, I've been on the verge of retirement."

Asked when he'll be back Nishikori once again struck a depressing tone, unable to give a date:

"I still don't know when I'll be back on the circuit. My goal would be to be able to play the 2023 Australian Open, but we are very fair. I haven't trained at the highest level for two weeks due to ankle discomfort."