Kei Nishikori Biofile

Kei Nishikori Biofile  | read this item

Status: ATP #19. Winner of two ATP singles titles including 2012 Rakuten Japen Open – the first Japanese player in history to win the historic event.

Ht: 5-10  Wt: 155

DOB: December 29, 1989  In: Shimane, Japan

Tennis Inspirations:  “Roger Federer. (Why?) He was #1 and I had chance to hit with him in 2007. He’s so nice and he’s so talented.”

Nicknames:  “They just call me Kei.”

Hobbies/Interests:  “I love music and soccer.”

Last Book Read:  “It’s Japanese, it’s called Smile.”

First Tennis Memory:  “I used to practice with my family, my sister (Reina) and my dad (Kiyoshi), just for fun. I was winning all the Japanese junior tournaments. (All?) Almost all yeah.”

Pre-Match Feeling:  “Just talk to my coach about opponent, what he’s like. I just listen to music also.”

Greatest Sports Moment:  “When I won the Japan Open. Amazing feeling to win in Tokyo. Very very happy happy.”

Most Painful Moment: “When I have injury.”

Favorite Tournament:  “I like French Open. I won doubles in juniors. I like clay courts.”

Favorite Meal:  “I like spaghetti. I can eat every day.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor:  “Strawberry.”

Funny Tennis Memory:  “One time I was hitting serve in practice. And my coach was looking at the other court, talking to the friends. And I hit his nuts [smiles].”

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I lost to Tursunov. Easy and he was toying with me. I couldn’t do anything. (What was he doing?) He wasn’t even trying but he hits ace and just I couldn’t do anything.”

Toughest Competitors: “I hate to play the guys that don’t miss.”

Closest Tennis Friends:  “I don’t know, so many guys at the Academy (IMG), there’s like ten good guys.”

Strangest Match:  “It’s in Indianapolis. I was sick first round, I was gonna retire. But – I don’t know what happened. I was so sick I couldn’t breathe. I won the match (vs. Falla). It was two days in a row I was sick.”

First Famous Tennis Player You Met Or Encountered: “Monica Seles. I got to hit with her when she was in Japan for a tournament.”

Best You Ever Felt On Court:  “I think at U.S. Open round of 16 against David Ferrer (2008). I won the first two sets and the fourth set was back and forth. We didn’t know who was going to win.”

On Popularity In Japan:  “Here in U.S. I can walk around and nobody knows who I am. It’s different in Japan. I have to wear a hat and glasses. If I stayed there all the time I might go crazy.”

Topics: Atp Singles, Clay Courts, December 29, French Open, Good Guys, Greatest Sports, Hobbies Interests, Inspirations, Japanese Player, Juniors, Monica Seles, Nicknames, Painful Moment, Rakuten, Reina, Roger Federer, Spaghetti, Sports Moment, Tennis Friends, Tennis Player