Kei Nishikori revealed he was ” really depressed” to the point that he was even contemplating to end his career. Nishikori, 32, didn’t play a single match in 2022. After failing to recover in time for the 2022 season, Nishikori decided to undergo a hip surgery in January.
Nishikori was initially hoping to return in the summer, during the North American hard court. But Nishikori suffered several setbacks in his recovery and ultimately ended up missing the entire season. “I was really depressed, even thought about retirement.
From July to September I was in rehab at home for 3 months, was not able to hit on the court, that was tough mentally. Seeing Roger I finally came to think I can do it until late 30’s. I was in the brink (of retirement),” Nishikori told Daily Online.
Kei “I was really depressed, even thought about retirement. From Jul to Sept I was in rehab at home for 3 months, was not able to hit on the court, that was tough mentally. Seeing Roger I finally came to think I can do it until late 30’s.
I was in the brink (of retirement). — 井蛙堂 (@seiadoumogera) November 19, 2022
Kei Nishikori may not be ready for the start of the 2023 season
Going into the 2023 season, Nishikori reveals there is a 50-50 chance he will be able to play the Australian Open.
“I’m not sure when I will be back, I have not hit balls for the last month (due to ankle injury), aiming to play the Australian Open, but it’s a 50-50 chance,” Nishikori revealed.
I’m not sure when I will be back, I have not hit balls for the last month (due to ankle injury), aiming to play the AO, but it’s a 50-50 chance” @Daily_Online — 井蛙堂 (@seiadoumogera) November 19, 2022
Nishikori was initially targeting to make his return shortly after Wimbledon.
But then, Nishikori suffered a setback and he ended up withdrawing from Atlanta and Washington. After withdrawing from a few hard-court tournaments, Nishikori took a wildcard into the Winston-Salem Open. Nishikori ended returning the Winston-Salem Open wildcard but he accepted a wildcard into the San Diego Open – which took place after the US Open.
Nishikori then pulled out of San Diego but took wildcards into two Canadian Challengers. Nishikori also withdrew from those two Challenger events and that’s how he went without playing a single match in 2022. It remains to be seen if we will see Nishikori at the Australian Open.
