Nishikori set for return to main ATP Tour at Atlanta Open, excited after recent Challenger form
ATPWednesday, 19 July 2023 at 01:00
Kei
Nishikori is thrilled after confirming his return to the ATP Tour at the
Atlanta Open.
The
33-year-old Japanese player has faced a challenging journey to get back to
professional tournaments. Nishikori underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left
hip in January 2022, and it took him a year and a half to return to the tennis
courts.
The former
world No. 4 revealed that he needed to have his hip bones trimmed, which
necessitated the surgical procedure:
"My
bones have been deformed in hip and elbow, I needed surgery to trim the bones
otherwise I feel pain, so (what happened) was inevitable. I never think about
what I should have done (with these injuries), I know it's an unanswered
question," Nishikori said in an interview with Nikkan Sports.
Good news
has come for the currently world No. 438, who was unranked until earlier this
year but made a triumphant comeback at the Challenger 75 Palmas del Mar,
winning the tournament.
Nishikori
entered the Atlanta Open thanks to his protected ranking, which will be his
first ATP 250 tournament after playing in three challengers to regain his
competitive rhythm. He announced the news through his social media channels.
"Excited to go on Friday to the @ATLOpenTennis! It will be my first @atptour back. Hope to see you there," he tweeted.
Injuries
have been a constant struggle for the Japanese player, who had already
experienced a long hiatus in 2017 due to a serious wrist injury. Regarding his
difficulties with injuries, Nishikori acknowledged last year how the process
was and revealed that he took Roger Federer as an inspiration:
"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 racquet. Mentally, it's very
complicated. Of course, I've been on the verge of retirement,"
"When
I saw Roger, I finally thought that I can continue playing tennis over 30 years
of age," claimed Nishikori.
The Atlanta
Open begins on July 24th and includes 10 players ranked within the top 50,
featuring prominent global stars such as Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur,
Alexander Bublik, and Cristopher Eubanks.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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