Kei Nishikori

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Kei Nishikori (錦織 圭) is a Japanese professional tennis player born on December 29, 1989, in Matsue, Japan. He became the first Japanese man in the Open Era to reach the world’s top five, peaking at No. 4 in March 2015. Nishikori has won 12 ATP singles titles, was the runner-up at the 2014 US Open, and won a bronze medal at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, the first Olympic tennis medal for Japan in 96 years. He also helped Japan reach the ATP Finals semifinals in 2014 and 2016, a milestone for Asian players.

Nishikori began playing tennis at age five and later moved to the IMG Academy in Florida as a teen. He is known for his excellent return game, a strong two-handed backhand, and reliable groundstrokes from the baseline. After a left hip operation in 2022, he made a comeback, winning a Challenger title in 2023 and returning to higher-level events in 2024–25. He continues to compete on the ATP Tour and is celebrated for his perseverance and longevity in the sport.