Kei Nishikori ends tennis career with Japan Open farewell

Kei Nishikori retired after losing 6-4, 6-4 to Frances Tiafoe in Tokyo on Thursday, the Associated Press reported. The Japanese player was then given a farewell at the Japan Open, with BBC Sport reporting that he walked a lap of honour around the main showcourt after the match.

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The ceremony included a video tribute featuring Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Michael Chang. According to the BBC, Djokovic praised Nishikori's determination to return after setbacks and welcomed the opportunity for him to finish his career in front of supporters in his home country. The farewell took place at a tournament Nishikori had won twice.

His first Tokyo title came in 2012, when he beat Milos Raonic in the final, and he won the event again in 2014. The ATP also records a runner-up finish there in 2018. Organisers had announced before this year's tournament that Nishikori would receive a singles main-draw wild card for his final appearance at the event.

Nishikori, 36, leaves with 12 ATP Tour singles titles and a career-best ranking of world number four, reached in 2015. He also won the men's singles bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. BBC Sport reported that he began playing tennis at five and moved to Florida at 14 to train, before becoming the first Japanese man to enter the world's top 10.

His biggest Grand Slam results came in New York. The US Open's official account of his career identifies his 2014 run as the first appearance by an Asian man in a Grand Slam singles final. He returned to the US Open semi-finals in 2016 and 2018, adding two more deep runs at the tournament where he achieved his major breakthrough.

His final Grand Slam campaign had already ended in August, when compatriot Rei Sakamoto beat him 6-4, 7-6(3) in the last round of US Open qualifying. Nishikori was honoured on court afterwards and spoke warmly about Sakamoto's future. That ceremony preceded his final professional tournament in Japan, where Thursday's defeat brought his playing career to a close.