Nishikori had surgical procedure on his hip in January of 2022. Final 12 months he returned to the courtroom and performed three matches in Atlanta, however had a left knee harm after, and has been unable to play since.

“It wasn’t straightforward,” the 2016 Miami Open runner-up mentioned. “It took a number of time to get healed. My knee was hurting for a very long time. I feel now I’m able to play – sufficient to play a few matches. Having that powerful time goes to assist mentally, I feel I can take pleasure in each match. That’s one thing I’ve to remember to myself, to take pleasure in each second.”

Nishikori says he by no means stopped loving the game.

“That’s one thing I by no means misplaced. I nonetheless have good motivation to play. I need to play once more with these high gamers I by no means performed earlier than. Many younger guys are coming into the Prime 10 now, and lots of of them I haven’t performed but, that’s one thing that motivates me.”

Nishikori is happy in regards to the video games of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, and desires to face them.

“I actually take pleasure in watching them, particularly Carlos and Sinner, they actually play highly effective however nonetheless make the balls. Carlos has nice contact and enjoys his matches – I take pleasure in watching him and hope I can play him someday.”

The Japanese star, who owns 433 match wins and 12 ATP titles,added Swede Thomas Johansson to his staff not too long ago.

“I need to nonetheless play aggressive like I used to do,” he mentioned. “However there are nonetheless some little issues that I can enhance – I feel it’s been working nicely.”