{
  "id": 11298763,
  "title": "Tennis: Nishikori loses in 1st round at Japan Open swan song",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/01/tennis-nishikori-loses-in-1st-round-at-japan-open-swan-song",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-01T22:44:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Mainichi",
    "slug": "the-mainichi",
    "url": "https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20261002/p2g/00m/0sp/002000c"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Japan's former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori exited the Japan Open in the first round on Thursday, succumbing to Frances Tiafoe of the United States in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. The 36-year-old Nishikori, who made history as the first Asian male player to reach a Grand Slam singles final at the 2014 U.S. Open, where he defeated Novak Djokovic in the semifinals, announced his retirement at the conclusion of the 2023 season.\n\nIn his swift elimination, Nishikori committed two double faults early, squandering three break points and falling behind 0-3 in the opening game. Tiafoe's erratic first serves allowed Nishikori to break back, but the American promptly regained the advantage, leading 4-3 at the set's conclusion. Nishikori, who attempted several angled returns to the corners, was unable to convert his narrow lead, losing the next four points to bow out after 1 hour and 14 minutes.\n\nDespite his best efforts, Nishikori expressed disappointment with his performance, lamenting that it fell short of his ideal. He acknowledged his frustration with ending his career on a losing note, but expressed pride in overcoming injuries and playing until the very end. The native of Shimane Prefecture, who moved to the United States at age 13 to train at the IMG Academy in Florida, had won 12 titles, including two at the Japan Open in 2012 and 2014. Nishikori's highest ranking was world No. 4, achieved in March 2015. He claimed Japan's first tennis medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, securing the nation's first Olympic medal in 96 years.",
  "summary": "TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Japan's former world No. 4 Kei Nishikori lost in the first round of the final tournament of his career at the Japan Open on Thursday,",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}