Kei Nishikori was inspired to play tennis by a visit to the Japan Open -- a tournament he would later win -- when he was six. His favourite player as a youngster was Morocco's Hicham Arazi.
Ace in the pack —
Kei Nishikori was inspired to play tennis by a visit to the Japan Open -- a tournament he would later win -- when he was six. His favourite player as a youngster was Morocco's Hicham Arazi.
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Nishikori is yet another talent to come from Nick Bollettieri's famous Florida academy. The star moved to the U.S. from Japan as a 13-year-old without knowing a word of English.
Bolettieri's boy —
Nishikori is yet another talent to come from Nick Bollettieri's famous Florida academy. The star moved to the U.S. from Japan as a 13-year-old without knowing a word of English.
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Nishikori's parents opted to send their son to Florida to advance his career after his dominance of the junior championships in Japan. The decision by his mother Kiyoshi -- a piano teacher -- and his engineer father Eri has paid off.
Half the world away —
Nishikori's parents opted to send their son to Florida to advance his career after his dominance of the junior championships in Japan. The decision by his mother Kiyoshi -- a piano teacher -- and his engineer father Eri has paid off.
IMG/Nishikori
Nishikori prospered in Florida, where he would regularly play from 7am in the morning until 5pm in the afternoon.
Fame academy —
Nishikori prospered in Florida, where he would regularly play from 7am in the morning until 5pm in the afternoon.
IMG/Nishikori
Bollettieri admits he didn't pay much attention to Nishikori until the academy's coaches spoke of his rapid improvement at 16. His nickname quickly became the 'shotmaker'.
Board meeting —
Bollettieri admits he didn't pay much attention to Nishikori until the academy's coaches spoke of his rapid improvement at 16. His nickname quickly became the 'shotmaker'.
IMG/Nishikori
Nishikori turned professional in 2007 and won his first ATP Tour event at Delray Beach the following year, beating American James Blake in the final when the Japanese star was ranked 240th in the world.
Feeling the heat —
Nishikori turned professional in 2007 and won his first ATP Tour event at Delray Beach the following year, beating American James Blake in the final when the Japanese star was ranked 240th in the world.
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Nishikori became the first Japanese player to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals for 80 years in January 2012. His defeat to Andy Murray showcased the difference in size between the the 22-year-old and the quartet that currently dominate the men's game who are all over six foot.
Size matters —
Nishikori became the first Japanese player to reach the Australian Open quarterfinals for 80 years in January 2012. His defeat to Andy Murray showcased the difference in size between the the 22-year-old and the quartet that currently dominate the men's game who are all over six foot.
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Nishikori's recent victory at the Japan Open confirmed his pedigree at the top of the men's game. It was the first time in the event's 40-year history there had been a home winner.
Home comforts —
Nishikori's recent victory at the Japan Open confirmed his pedigree at the top of the men's game. It was the first time in the event's 40-year history there had been a home winner.
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