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Kei Nishikori retires from tennis at Japan Open as peers pay tribute

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Oct 1, 2026, 7:35 AM

Last updated Oct 1, 2026

Kei Nishikori retires from tennis at Japan Open as peers pay tribute

Summary

Kei Nishikori announced his retirement from tennis after his last match at the Japan Open in Tokyo. Competing against second seed Frances Tiafoe, Nishikori showed resilience before losing 6-4, 6-4. Following the match, fellow players including Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz paid tribute to Nishikori’s impact on tennis and his career achievements. Nishikori, a two-time champion at the Japan Open, has battled injuries throughout his career. His retirement marks the end of a significant chapter in professional tennis.

Source Links

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Status Watch

•Nishikori retired after his final match at the Japan Open.
•He lost to Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 6-4 in the last match.
•Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz among players honoring Nishikori.
•Nishikori was a two-time champion at the Japan Open.
•Injuries plagued Nishikori's career, affecting his tour participation.

Latest Updates

7:35 AMYahoo Sports — Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz have message for Kei Nishikori as he retires from tennis

What they're saying

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Kei Nishikori has officially retired from tennis after playing the final match of his career at the Japan Open. Nishikori announced that he would retire...
— Yahoo Sports

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ATP Tennis