I simply need to play a whole lot of matches

Kei Nishikori performed a match on Thursday afternoon for the primary time since final July on the Atlanta Open, the place he reached the quarterfinals. Nishikori didn’t win his first-round match on the Miami Open, however the efficiency was encouraging sufficient. One break in every set was the distinction, because the Japanese veteran was unable to transform any of his three break-point alternatives throughout a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Sebastian Ofner.

When it was over, Nishikori had principally good issues to say about his effort.

“I simply need to play a whole lot of matches,” the 34-year-old commented. “Right now I used to be nearly having fun with the match, nevertheless it wasn’t adequate to beat these top-50 gamers. I feel I’m comfortable sufficient with how I performed immediately; possibly not the perfect.”

Nishikori has struggled accidents all through his illustrious profession, most just lately coping with knee and hip issues. Atlanta was his solely ATP-level occasion final yr, when he additionally performed three Challenger tournaments–one among which he gained. The 2014 U.S. Open runner-up wasn’t capable of play any greater than that, however he hopes to maintain extra of a workload in 2024.

“Hopefully I can keep wholesome,” stated Nishikori. “I feel that’s the one purpose this yr: attempt to play as many matches as I can. Bodily, that’s the hardest factor. I nearly got here again final summer season. I performed six, seven matches after which my physique received damage once more.

“I’m hoping to play Houston, Barcelona, Madrid–the clay-court season. I like clay; I’ve a very good document enjoying on clay. So I hope I can play good couple matches there. I do know it’s going to be a tricky area. If I hold dropping within the first spherical, possibly I’ll play some Challengers.

“I by no means lose that motivation. It’s all the time there. Some motive I can’t clarify, however some motive motivation is all the time there. I’m trying ahead to getting my tennis again. Possibly it’s not going to be quickly, however I’ll hold preventing.”

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and in addition maintains his personal tennis web site, The Grandstand. You may comply with him on Twitter at @Dimonator.