'I kept fighting right to the end' - emotional Nishikori retires
A tearful Kei Nishikori says he "kept fighting right to the end" as the former world number four ends his professional career at the Japan Open.
Former world number four Kei Nishikori bid farewell to the professional tennis circuit at the Japan Open, shedding emotional tears as he announced his retirement. The 36-year-old, hailed as one of the best players to never clinch a Grand Slam, lost 6-4, 6-4 to eight-time Grand Slam winner Frances Tiafoe. Nishikori etched his name in history by becoming the first Japanese man to clinch a major final when he faced Marin Cilic in the 2014 US Open.
He had already triumphed over the world's top players, including Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who gifted him the Olympic bronze in Rio. Despite battling injuries throughout his 19-year career, Nishikori expressed his pride in never giving up and playing till the finish. Djokovic lauded Nishikori's resilience, praising his fighting spirit throughout numerous battles around the globe.
The tennis legend concluded his illustrious career in front of his hometown crowd, receiving a warm ovation and a video tribute from tennis greats Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Michael Chang.
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