The Boy Nishikori Inspired May Now End His Grand Slam Career

In 2014, when he was eight years old, Rei Sakamoto watched Kei Nishikori play the US Open final. Nishikori had just made history as the first Asian man to reach the final of a Grand Slam singles event, having beaten all-time great Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. Twelve years later Sakamoto and Nishikori meet, not deep in the main draw, but in the final round of qualifying, with only one able to advance.

Nishikori was not merely Sakamoto's hero, they both followed the same pathway to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida as teenagers. Nishikori moved there at 14, while Sakamoto went there at 15. Not only that, the pair have trained together, practising with each other regularly enough that they have developed a friendship.

They also paired up on the doubles court back in 2024 at the Japan Open in Tokyo. At that time, Sakamoto called Nishikori his idol and praised how Nishikori encouraged him throughout the match, while Nishikori also praised Sakamoto and indicated he'd like to partner with him again.

Nishikori, now aged 36, made the decision to retire from tennis at the end of this season after a frustrating last few years hampered by repeated injuries. This qualifying match for the 2026 US Open provides him with one final opportunity to play in a Grand Slam main draw. The former World No. 4's last appearance in a major main draw was back in 2025 at the Australian Open.

Having lifted the boys' singles trophy just a year earlier, Sakamoto qualified for a Grand Slam event for the first time at this year's Australian Open. He lost in a five-set thriller to Rafael Jodar, who has gone on to reach as high as No. 11 in the ATP rankings. While Nishikori nears the end of his career, Sakamoto is just beginning what many expect will be a long and fruitful journey as a professional tennis player.

Many tennis fans in Japan – and perhaps across Asia and beyond – will be watching in anticipation as one player seeks a last hurrah to cap an illustrious career, while the other looks to fulfil the dreams his opponent inspired in him as a young boy. If Nishikori wins, one final run at the US Open could provide the perfect send-off. If Sakamoto wins, it could represent a passing of the torch – from a legend of Japanese tennis to a young player hoping to follow in his footsteps.

After the matches on Thursday in New York were postponed due to rain, Nishikori and Sakamoto will face off in the second match at Stadium 17 on Friday.