Kei Nishikori, Asia's Most Decorated Men's Tennis Player, To Retire At End Of 2026 Season

Last Updated:May 01, 2026, 10:00 IST

Kei Nishikori, Asia's most decorated men's tennis player, will retire at the end of the 2026 season after an injury hit career.

Kei Nishikori, Asia’s most decorated men’s tennis player, announced on Friday that he will retire at the end of the season after a career ravaged by injury.

The 36-year-old became the first Japanese player to reach a Grand Slam final at the 2014 US Open, where he lost to Croatia’s Marin Cilic.

History Maker And Trailblazer

He was the first Japanese man to break into the top 10 of the ATP world rankings, rising to a career-high of number four, and he won 12 titles on tour.

Kei Nishikori also claimed the bronze medal in men’s singles at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

He has been plagued by injuries for years and said last month that he was “barely hanging on" in terms of his physical fitness.

On Friday, Nishikori said on social media that he was reluctantly calling it quits at the end of the 2026 season.

“To be honest, I still wish I could continue my playing career," he said.

“Even so, looking back on everything up to this point, I can proudly say that I gave it my all."

Who Is Kei Nishikori?

Born in western Japan, Nishikori moved to Florida at the age of 14 to train at the IMG Academy.

He turned professional in 2007 and won his first ATP Tour title a year later at Delray Beach.

He produced the best season of his career in 2014, winning four ATP titles and reaching the US Open final, where he upset then-world number one Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals.

“Reaching the ATP Tour, playing at the highest level of competition and maintaining a presence in the top 10 is something I am extremely proud of," he said in his social media post.

“Whether in victory or defeat, the special atmosphere I felt in packed arenas is irreplaceable."

Nishikori last won a title in Brisbane in 2019. He is currently ranked number 464 in the world and has been competing this season on the second-tier Challenger Tour.

“There were also times when I was overwhelmed by frustration and anxiety due to repeated injuries that prevented me from playing as I wanted," he said.

“Even so, my love for tennis and my belief that I could become a stronger player always brought me back to the court," he added.

“I will cherish every moment of the remaining matches and fight to the very end."

Nishikori is a hugely popular figure in tennis.

“Thank you for all the memories," the ATP Tour wrote on social media.

(With inputs from Agencies)

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