In his career swan song, Kei Nishikori loses to Frances Tiafoe at the Japan Open
Japan's Kei Nishikori hits a forehand return to Frances Tiafoe of the U.S., during the first round of the Japan Open tennis championship in Tokyo, Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026. Credit: AP/Daiki Katagiri
TOKYO — Kei Nishikori had an emotional farewell to his tennis career at the Japan Open.
Nishikori lost 6-4, 6-4 to second-seeded Frances Tiafoe in the first round on Thursday. The 36-year-old Nishikori, a former U.S. Open finalist with a career-high ranking of No. 4, said earlier in the week that he had mixed feelings about in his last elite-level tournament on home soil.
“I am excited to play in Japan but I also know this is my last moment,” he said. “So, it’s kind of sad.”
Nishikori announced in May that he planned to retire at the end of the year and was granted a wild-card entry to the Japan Open, which he won in 2012 and 2014. His career ended with the loss.
Nishikori missed the Australian Open in January with right shoulder pain and has been affected by injuries the last several years. He also missed last year’s U.S. Open.
Making his professional debut in 2007, Nishikori became the first Japanese player to advance to the final of a Grand Slam men’s singles tournament when he reached the championship decider at the 2014 Open in New York, which he lost in straight sets to Marin Cilic.
Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz recovered from a second-set scare to defeat American Alex Michelsen 7-6 (1), 4-6, 6-1 later in the day.
Frances Tiafoe, of the United States, right, greets Ben Shelton, of the United States, after Shelton won their match during the men's singles semifinals of the U.S. Open tennis championships Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, in New York. Credit: AP/Frank Franklin II
In an earlier match, third-seeded Taylor Fritz lost 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-3 to Spain’s Jaume Munar. Last week, Alcaraz defeated Fritz 6–3, 4–6, 13–11 at the Laver Cup in London.
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