Kei Nishikori Withdraws from US Open Due to Knee Injury
Former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori has announced his withdrawal from this year’s tournament due to a knee injury. The Japanese tennis star suffered the setback during his quarter-final match against Taylor Fritz in Atlanta back in July and has not played since then.
Over the years, Nishikori has battled numerous injuries, but he had managed to stay in the top 20 rankings for an extended period. However, his career took a downturn after the 2019 US Open when he experienced further setbacks that hindered his progress.
In 2019, Nishikori won 29 matches and competed in the US Open as a top-10 player but was defeated by Alex de Minaur in the third round. Following this, he underwent right elbow surgery in October, which limited his appearances on the court.
Nishikori made a strong comeback in 2021 and played 43 matches. He faced tough opponents like Rafael Nadal and Alexander Zverev, putting up a fight but failing to secure victories. At the Tokyo Olympics, he reached the quarter-finals but was ultimately outplayed by world No. 1 Novak Djokovic.
In his latest attempt to regain form, Nishikori participated in the US Open. However, his journey was cut short in the third round as Djokovic emerged victorious in a four-set battle. Unfortunately, this turned out to be Nishikori’s final tournament of the season, as he suffered an early defeat in Indian Wells.
The Japanese player underwent hip surgery in January 2021, resulting in another hiatus from the sport. He made a winning comeback a couple of months ago, claiming victory in the Palmas del Mar Challenger in Puerto Rico and achieving further successes in Bloomfield Hills and Chicago.
Nishikori’s knee injury resurfaced during his quarter-final match in Atlanta, causing him to skip Toronto, Cincinnati, and now the US Open itself.
The absence of the former US Open finalist will undoubtedly leave a void in the tournament. Despite his struggles with injuries, Nishikori’s blend of skill and passion for the game has made him a fan favorite. Tennis enthusiasts will have to wait for his full recovery before witnessing his remarkable talent on the court again.
