By BBC (Sports) | Created at 2025-01-12 12:06:40 | Updated at 2025-01-16 12:20:19
4 days ago
Image source, Getty Images
Kei Nishikori reached his first tour-level final in six years earlier in January
Australian Open 2025
Dates: 12-26 January Venue: Melbourne Park
Coverage: Live radio commentary on Tennis Breakfast from 07:00 GMT on BBC 5 Sports Extra, plus live text commentaries on the BBC Sport website and app
Kei Nishikori says he "almost" quit tennis last year after he saved two match points to clinch his first win at the Australian Open since 2019.
The 35-year-old Japanese missed nine successive Grand Slams from September 2021 to May 2024 after lengthy injury struggles.
Making his first appearance in Melbourne for four years, Nishikori edged a five-set thriller against Brazil's Thiago Monteiro 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-5 6-2 6-3.
Explaining how close he came to retiring, former US Open finalist Nishikori said: "I almost came back [and then] I got injured again.
"I was thinking, if I have maybe another surgery, then I think mentally I'm not able to fight any more."
Nishikori, who lost to Marin Cilic in the 2014 US Open final, boasts a 29-8 win record in five-set matches at Tour level.
With his victory over Monteiro, he has now won nine five-set matches at Melbourne Park and lost only once, against Roger Federer in 2017.
Major hip surgery and an ankle injury derailed Nishikori's career after he made three major quarter-finals in 2019 - the year in which he last won an ATP title.
A shoulder issue forced the world number four to retire injured in the French Open second round last year before he lost in the first round at Wimbledon.
"I wanted to play [again] in a big stadium like today," Nishikori said.
"That was my goal a year ago when I was doing rehab. I still think I have the chance to play with these top players."
Nishikori had to save two match points in the second set before taking advantage as his opponent struggled with injury.
"I almost gave up at match point. But I somehow fought through," said Nishikori, who plays American 12th seed Tommy Paul or Australia's Chris O'Connell next.
"He deserved to win today but somehow I fought through."
Norwegian sixth seed Casper Ruud avoided becoming the first top-10 casualty at this year's Australian Open by coming through in five sets against Spain's Jaume Munar.
The 26-year-old, a three-time Slam runner-up, won 6-3 1-6 7-5 2-6 6-1.
