Looking back at Kei Nishikori’s first-ever Japan Open appearance almost 20 years ago as he retires from tennis

Kei Nishikori made his ATP Tour debut almost 20 years ago.

The Japanese star first appeared on the circuit at the 2007 Countrywide Classic, where he lost to South African Wesley Moodie in the first round.

Nishikori secured his first ATP victories a short time later, reaching the 2007 Indianopolis Tennis Classic quarter-finals.

On Thursday, Nishikori called time on his professional tennis career.

Frances Tiafoe, a US Open semi-finalist, ended Nishikori’s career with a 6-4, 6-4 victory in the Japan Open first round.

Around 19 years prior to Thursday’s contest, Nishikori made his Japan Open debut.

Nishikori, who received a wildcard for the 2007 Japan Open, was drawn against American Zach Fleishman in the first round.

Fleishman, the world number 127, achieved one of his best-ever results in 2007, defeating world number six Fernando Gonzalez at the Countrywide Classic in Los Angeles, USA.

Fleishman proved too strong for 17-year-old Nishikori, triumphing 7-6, 3-6, 6-1. Fleishman was knocked out in the next round by French youngster Richard Gasquet, who retired from his playing career in 2025.

Nishikori returned to the event a year later and secured his first victories in Tokyo.

The then 18-year-old defeated Robert Kendrick and Guillermo Garcia Lopez before losing to Gasquet in the quarter-finals.

Four years later, Nishikori triumphed in Japan.

Nishikori has won the Japan Open on two occasions: in 2012 and 2014.

In 2012, Nishikori defeated Go Soeda, Tommy Robredo, Tomas Berdych, and Marcos Baghdatis to reach the final.

There, he defeated future Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic, 7-6, 3-6, 6-0.

“It’s absolutely unbelievable to win in Japan,” said Nishikori afterwards, as per Sky Sports.

“To win an ATP 500 event will give me more confidence in the future. “I’d never played well in Japan but since beating (second seed) Tomas Berdych (in the quarter-finals), I felt I’d broken that wall down.

“To reach the top 10 is my target now.”

Two years later, Nishikori again defeated Raonic in the Japan Open final, this time by a scoreline of 7-6, 4-6, 6-4.

By doing so, Nishikori became one of only four players to win multiple Japan Open titles.

Pete Sampras, Jim Courier and Stefan Edberg also won more than one crown in Tokyo, with Edberg the most successful player in tournament history, having won four titles.

Nishikori also reached the final in 2018 before losing to Daniil Medvedev in straight sets.