Tennis star Kei Nishikori ended his professional career at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open in October, concluding a 19-year run that included a 2014 US Open singles final and a career-high world ranking of number four in 2015, news.wowow.co.jp reported.
Wrestling with hip surgery and ankle sprains in recent years, Nishikori’s final three months on tour are the subject of a new documentary broadcast and streamed on November 14 by WOWOW. The program features three figures close to the Japanese tennis pioneer: former world number 46 Shuzo Matsuoka, 2024 tour coach Satoshi Iwabuchi, and wheelchair tennis legend Shingo Kunieda.
“When I look at the footage of Kei’s expression and play after his retirement announcement, I often wondered if he really wanted to retire,” Kunieda told news.wowow.co.jp.
The documentary explores how Nishikori prepared for his final tournament appearance against Frances Tiafoe. It captures the transition from the physical toll of injuries to the emotional closure of a storied career.
Navigators share stories and footage from the recording session
During the special recording session, the three navigators watched interview and match footage while sharing behind-the-scenes stories. Matsuoka said that he learned new details about Nishikori’s off-court life, including his habits with video games and his ability to switch between competitive and relaxed states.
“I’ve always seen the fighting Kei, which must have been supported by how he spent his time off the court,” Matsuoka told news.wowow.co.jp.
After the US Open, Nishikori described his physical state as a candle whose flame had burned out. However, as the Japan Open approached, Iwabuchi observed familiar signs of match-day nervous tension returning.
“He looked very relaxed preparing for the matches, but as they drew closer, he got that usual nervous look,” Iwabuchi told news.wowow.co.jp.
Matsuoka, who served as an analyst for the Tiafoe match, saw the competitive switch flip immediately despite early struggles with a backhand volley. When Nishikori rallied after falling behind, Matsuoka sensed a genuine belief that victory was possible. The match ended with tears from Nishikori, reinforcing Matsuoka’s view of his fierce competitiveness.
“He said himself that his screws are loose, which is why he made it this far,” Matsuoka told news.wowow.co.jp.
Kunieda relates to Nishikori's decision regarding retirement
Kunieda, who won 50 Grand Slam titles and five Paralympic gold medals, related to Nishikori’s decision-making process regarding retirement. Having contemplated stepping away after the Tokyo Paralympics, Kunieda understood the physical threshold where continuing threatens daily post-career life.
“The only difference between Kei and me is whether we announced it beforehand,” Kunieda told news.wowow.co.jp.
Reflecting on what changed over nearly two decades, Matsuoka and Iwabuchi agreed that Nishikori’s core approach remained identical to his childhood. His insistence on staying near the baseline against high-caliber opponents like Tiafoe demonstrated an unchanging refusal to back down.
“Nothing has changed. He is still boyish, and he is always kind,” Kunieda told news.wowow.co.jp.
Questions about the Kei Nishikori documentary broadcast and navigators
When did WOWOW air the Kei Nishikori documentary?
WOWOW broadcast and streamed the documentary titled “Kei Nishikori’s Last Road: The Trajectory from His Final Grand Slam to the Japan Open” on November 14, according to news.wowow.co.jp.
Who serves as the navigators for the documentary?
The program is led by former player and junior mentor Shuzo Matsuoka, 2024 tour coach Satoshi Iwabuchi, and wheelchair tennis legend Shingo Kunieda, as reported by news.wowow.co.jp.
What tournament marked the end of Nishikori’s career?
Nishikori concluded his professional career at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open in October, playing his final match against American Frances Tiafoe, news.wowow.co.jp reported.
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