Kei Nishikori says he respects his own talent to allow injury to end his career, and he has been inspired by Roger Federer to keep playing.
Nishikori has had a torrid time in the last few years with a persistent elbow injury causing him to miss a lot of tennis.
Just as he got over that, he was struck by a hip problem that saw him miss the entire 2022 season.
However, despite nearing his 33rd birthday, Nishikori is finding fresh inspiration to fight for his career, and a meeting with Roger Federer at a UNIQLO event helped focus his mind.
Speaking to Asahi Sports, Kei Nishikori said: “I casually mentioned that I thought about retirement, but afterwards I realized it would go into headlines, I was like, oops, I blew it.
“It was honest feeling, so I might not be able to hide it, or I might express it to wash away my gloomy feeling, I don’t know.
“I’ve made much effort and it’s a shame to bring it to naught due to injury. I’m not sure if this is the right way to say it, but I feel like I’m kinda talented and I have reached the position that not so many people can reach, that makes me feel like it’s too good to give up.
“If my career-high ranking were 100, I might not have thought like that, and it would be disappointing to end my career due to injury.
“Federer played tennis until 40, so I think I can keep playing five more years at the least and seven more years at the most.”
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