KEI NISHIKORI WINS TITLE AT COMEBACK CARIBBEAN OPEN EVENT AFTER 20 MONTHS OUT

Kei Nishikori won the title at his comeback Caribbean Open event after 20 months out with injury, and earned congratulations from Andy Murray.

Nishikori has been plagued by a number of fitness issues over the past couple of years, with ankle and hip problems thwarting a career that saw the Japanese reach the 2014 US Open final, and reach a high of world No. 4 back in 2015

But he appears to be well on the comeback trail, and admitted to surprising himself at the level of his play at the Palmas del Mar Challenger event in Puerto Rico, which saw him beat American Michael Zheng 6-2 7-5 in the final after coming through four preceding rounds.

“Winning this tournament was more than I expected,” Nishikori said, as per The Mainichi.

“I can’t believe I could play like that. The way I played the final has made me think I could play on the [ATP] tour.”

Murray, like Nishikori, has suffered with serious injury in the latter stages of his career, and the mutual respect between he and the Japanese – who have met 11 times during their storied history – was clear to see from their exchange on Twitter.

Nishikori’s last match before his long absence was a defeat to Dan Evans in Indian Wells in October 2021.

Speaking back in May of this year, the Japanese made it clear he is eyeing a long stay back on the tour.

“Realistically, I think I can play for five or six more years at best,” he told Wowow Tennis.

“Don’t know if my body will hold until 40, but it’s also possible.

“Thinking like that, I have no less than five more years, I’m motivated for rehab and doing my best with composure.”