Kei Nishikori has gatecrashed Marin Cilic’s party. The 21-year-old Japanese stormed into the elite list of Chennai Open tennis tournament by packing off two-time defending champion in the opener on Monday.
Despite a big scalp, Nishikori is not thinking too far on his maiden trip to Chennai. “Frankly, I haven’t thought beyond Cilic. I didn’t see the draw at all. But I’m not taking any match lightly as they are going to come at me hard. My aim is to get as many matches as possible before the Australian Open,” said the smiling assassin.
Born to an engineer father and a piano teacher, Nishikori picked up a racquet at a tender age of five. When he turned 13, his parents sent him to pursue his dream at Florida’s Nick Bollettieri Academy, the factory that churned out the likes of Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Maria Sharapova et al.
Nishikori said his decision to shift to the US not only helped him realise his potential, it also improved his personality and communication. “I played tennis all the time — alongside around 800 other children — and although it was hard work, the top players that train at the academy really showed me just how hard I needed to work to become a professional player,” said the humble youngster.
Nishikori made his ATP debut at Los Angeles in July 2007 and advanced to his maiden quarterfinal at Indianapolis the following week. He finished the year with a 3-5 record and was ranked No. 286.
In 2008, Nishikori became the youngest player in the top-100, courtesy his triumph against all odds at the Delray Beach (US). He also became the first Asian to win the ATP Newcomer Of the Year Award in 2008. His meteoric caused ripples in Japan where the tennis interest had dwindled after the country’s first champion Shuzo Matsuoka retired in 1998. Matsuoka was ranked as high as 46.
Nishikori then announced the ‘Project 45’. “I always wanted to surpass Matsuoka. I was on course until an elbow injury came as a stumbling block in February 2009. I had to withdraw from three grand slams. I spent the following year doing some catch-up and was happy to end the year in top-100 again,” he said.
The amicable Japanese recently took ace coach Brad Gilbert on board. The American, who has shaped the games of Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray, will work as a consultant and travel with Nishikori on the Tour starting from Australian Open. Nishikori is excited to work with Gilbert. “I met Gilbert last December before spending four days training at his home. I know training under a big name adds pressure on me. People are going to expect a lot from me. He is a master tactician and I am sure my game will flourish further,” added Nishikori.