Kei Nishikori, Prince of Tennis in rl.
This is Kei Nishikori. He might be looking all moody and contemplative but he's probably just thinking about fried chicken. He is also one of my favourite tennis players.
Name: Kei Nishikori (錦織 圭)
Age: 20 (29-12-1989)
Birthplace: Shimane, Japan
Residence: Bradenton, Florida
Height: 5’10’’ (1.78m)
Weight: 150lbs (68kg)
Highest rank: 56
Current rank: 189
Nicknames: Air K, Project 45, Prince of Tennis
~As a kid~
He first picked up a tennis racket at age five, prompted by his father Kiyoshi, who was an engineer. Before Kei joined a tennis club, his practise partner was a wall in front of his house. He won various children’s tournaments in Japan, including national titles.
When he was 11, Nishikori attended ‘Shuzo Challenge’, an annual tennis camp for young children hosted by Shuzo Matsuoka (the only other HUGE name in Japanese tennis) and the Japan Tennis Association. He caught Matsuoka’s eye when he won a match against a 16 year old who was double the size of him during the camp.
Little Kei crying because Matsuoka yelled at a brunch of them for not regretting a loss.
Or something... my Japanese is mediocre at best.
In 2004, age 14, Nishikori left home to train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. He found life at the academy hard since he spoke little English and was very homesick. At that time, Nishikori didn’t realise the talent he had as he always played against opponents older, more experienced and physically stronger than he was as part of his training. To boost his confidence, his coaches at the academy arranged for a special match between him and Philip Bester, Kei’s roommate and the best Canadian junior at the time. The result of the match was 6-1, 6-4 to Nishikori.
Kei at the Academy, Nick Bollettieri behind him.
~Juniors/ATP Debut~
Nishikori competed and won many junior tournaments, the most notable being winning the 2006 Junior French Open doubles, partnering with Argentina’s Emiliano Massa. At 16, Nishikori achieved a career high juniors rank of no.7.
He turned pro in 2007. In his second ATP outing, he reached the quarterfinals of Indianapolis, defeating Alejandro Falla and Michael Berrer on route. He lost to Dmitry Tursunov (who was the eventual champion) but Nishikori became the youngest player to reach the quarterfinals at Indianapolis since Boris Becker in 1985.
~2008, Breakout Year~
In 2008, Nishikori qualified into his sixth ATP event in Delray Beach where he captured his first ATP title, defeating top seed and world number 12, James Blake in the final. He became the first Japanese titlist since Matsuoka in Seoul in April 1992 and at 18 years, 1 month, 19 days old, the youngest player to win an ATP title since Lleyton Hewitt (16 years, 10 months, 18 days) won in Adelaide, 1998. He jumped from No. 244 to No. 131 in the ATP Rankings after the Delray title.
"Still can't believe it, I beat James Blake. I just see him on the, on the TV. This is my best tournament ever, in... my life."
Nishikori played in the Queen's Club Championships and went out in the third round against Rafael Nadal. The final score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to Nadal, who won the match in just over two hours. Despite facing the (then) world number two, Nishikori played well in the match, and showed promise. At the press conference after the match, Nadal said: “He is going to be a top 10 player for sure, maybe top five. I am 100 percent sure. He’s a very talented player. He needs to improve a few little things, but he’s going to be very good.”
He made his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon and retired in 1st round match against Marc Gicquel due to stomach muscle injury. Nishikori then made his US Open debut defeating 29th seeded Juan Monaco in the first round. He became the first Japanese player to reach the Round of 16 at the US Open in 71 years when he defeated 4th seed David Ferrer in five sets 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5 in what was considered one of the tournaments major upsets. He lost his chance to compete in the quarter-finals when he was beaten by 17th seed Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets.
Nishikori jumped 45 spots to No. 81 after the US Open. He finished the year as the youngest player (19 years old) in year-end Top 100 at no. 63 and became first Japanese player to finish in Top 100 since Shuzo Matsuoka was no. 57 in 1995. Nishikori was named 2008 ATP Newcomer of the Year and became the first Asian player to win the award.
~2009-Now~
Nishikori withdrew from most of his scheduled tournaments in 2009 because of an injured right elbow. He is making his comeback this year after extensive rehabilitation and found great success at the Challenger tour, winning two back-to-back titles.
Nishikori played in his first French Open in 2010. He defeated Santiago Giraldo in the first round before losing his round 2 match against Novak Djokovic. In the 2010 Wimbledon, he played the number two seed Rafael Nadal in the first round and lost in straight sets.
~His team~
Kei's coaching staff is a select team of coaches from the Bollettieri Academy. His main coach that travels with him to tournaments is Glenn Weiner. His manager is Olivier van Lindonk who is also the vice president of IMG Tennis.
Coach Glenn Weiner and Nick Bollettieri
Manager Olivier 'Olli' van Lindonk
At the Academy, he is referred to as Project 45. The reason being that Shuzo Matsuoka, the highest ranked Japanese player in history, achieved a top rank of 46 and Nishikori and his team aim to surpass his record.
This amused me for all the wrong reasons.
~Misc/Shit I felt the need to mention but couldn't fit anywhere else~
Nishikori is right-handed (double-handed backhand). He is known for leaping into the air to play his forehands which earned him the nickname Air-K.
He likes to eat karaage, Japanese style fried chicken. When he won the Delray title, his mum suggested a mountain of fried chicken as a reward.
Japanese Gatorade commercial
Nishi hanging out with badass Japanese rappers.
Kei and hitting partner.
WHO THE HECK FAKES A DROP-SHOT? Nishi.
BB likes his soccer
Nishikori on the cover of the Japanese edition of Wii Grand Slam Tennis. He is also a playable character.
Kei singing a song by SMAP
~Long Story Short, Watch This Space~
Nishikori is a player to look out for. He is only 20 years old. He has the potential and raw talent to break into the top. To quote Nadal, 'He’s a very talented player. He needs to improve a few little things, but he’s going to be very good.'
He's adorable, talented and awesome. What more do you want? LOVE HIM!
Check out his Facebook, it's full of photos and flails.
Name: Kei Nishikori (錦織 圭)
Age: 20 (29-12-1989)
Birthplace: Shimane, Japan
Residence: Bradenton, Florida
Height: 5’10’’ (1.78m)
Weight: 150lbs (68kg)
Highest rank: 56
Current rank: 189
Nicknames: Air K, Project 45, Prince of Tennis
~As a kid~
He first picked up a tennis racket at age five, prompted by his father Kiyoshi, who was an engineer. Before Kei joined a tennis club, his practise partner was a wall in front of his house. He won various children’s tournaments in Japan, including national titles.
When he was 11, Nishikori attended ‘Shuzo Challenge’, an annual tennis camp for young children hosted by Shuzo Matsuoka (the only other HUGE name in Japanese tennis) and the Japan Tennis Association. He caught Matsuoka’s eye when he won a match against a 16 year old who was double the size of him during the camp.
Little Kei crying because Matsuoka yelled at a brunch of them for not regretting a loss.
Or something... my Japanese is mediocre at best.
In 2004, age 14, Nishikori left home to train at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Florida. He found life at the academy hard since he spoke little English and was very homesick. At that time, Nishikori didn’t realise the talent he had as he always played against opponents older, more experienced and physically stronger than he was as part of his training. To boost his confidence, his coaches at the academy arranged for a special match between him and Philip Bester, Kei’s roommate and the best Canadian junior at the time. The result of the match was 6-1, 6-4 to Nishikori.
Kei at the Academy, Nick Bollettieri behind him.
~Juniors/ATP Debut~
Nishikori competed and won many junior tournaments, the most notable being winning the 2006 Junior French Open doubles, partnering with Argentina’s Emiliano Massa. At 16, Nishikori achieved a career high juniors rank of no.7.
He turned pro in 2007. In his second ATP outing, he reached the quarterfinals of Indianapolis, defeating Alejandro Falla and Michael Berrer on route. He lost to Dmitry Tursunov (who was the eventual champion) but Nishikori became the youngest player to reach the quarterfinals at Indianapolis since Boris Becker in 1985.
~2008, Breakout Year~
In 2008, Nishikori qualified into his sixth ATP event in Delray Beach where he captured his first ATP title, defeating top seed and world number 12, James Blake in the final. He became the first Japanese titlist since Matsuoka in Seoul in April 1992 and at 18 years, 1 month, 19 days old, the youngest player to win an ATP title since Lleyton Hewitt (16 years, 10 months, 18 days) won in Adelaide, 1998. He jumped from No. 244 to No. 131 in the ATP Rankings after the Delray title.
Click to view"Still can't believe it, I beat James Blake. I just see him on the, on the TV. This is my best tournament ever, in... my life."
Nishikori played in the Queen's Club Championships and went out in the third round against Rafael Nadal. The final score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 to Nadal, who won the match in just over two hours. Despite facing the (then) world number two, Nishikori played well in the match, and showed promise. At the press conference after the match, Nadal said: “He is going to be a top 10 player for sure, maybe top five. I am 100 percent sure. He’s a very talented player. He needs to improve a few little things, but he’s going to be very good.”
He made his Grand Slam debut at Wimbledon and retired in 1st round match against Marc Gicquel due to stomach muscle injury. Nishikori then made his US Open debut defeating 29th seeded Juan Monaco in the first round. He became the first Japanese player to reach the Round of 16 at the US Open in 71 years when he defeated 4th seed David Ferrer in five sets 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-5 in what was considered one of the tournaments major upsets. He lost his chance to compete in the quarter-finals when he was beaten by 17th seed Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets.
Nishikori jumped 45 spots to No. 81 after the US Open. He finished the year as the youngest player (19 years old) in year-end Top 100 at no. 63 and became first Japanese player to finish in Top 100 since Shuzo Matsuoka was no. 57 in 1995. Nishikori was named 2008 ATP Newcomer of the Year and became the first Asian player to win the award.
~2009-Now~
Nishikori withdrew from most of his scheduled tournaments in 2009 because of an injured right elbow. He is making his comeback this year after extensive rehabilitation and found great success at the Challenger tour, winning two back-to-back titles.
Nishikori played in his first French Open in 2010. He defeated Santiago Giraldo in the first round before losing his round 2 match against Novak Djokovic. In the 2010 Wimbledon, he played the number two seed Rafael Nadal in the first round and lost in straight sets.
~His team~
Kei's coaching staff is a select team of coaches from the Bollettieri Academy. His main coach that travels with him to tournaments is Glenn Weiner. His manager is Olivier van Lindonk who is also the vice president of IMG Tennis.
Coach Glenn Weiner and Nick Bollettieri
Manager Olivier 'Olli' van Lindonk
At the Academy, he is referred to as Project 45. The reason being that Shuzo Matsuoka, the highest ranked Japanese player in history, achieved a top rank of 46 and Nishikori and his team aim to surpass his record.
This amused me for all the wrong reasons.
~Misc/Shit I felt the need to mention but couldn't fit anywhere else~
Nishikori is right-handed (double-handed backhand). He is known for leaping into the air to play his forehands which earned him the nickname Air-K.
He likes to eat karaage, Japanese style fried chicken. When he won the Delray title, his mum suggested a mountain of fried chicken as a reward.
Japanese Gatorade commercial
Nishi hanging out with badass Japanese rappers.
Kei and hitting partner.
WHO THE HECK FAKES A DROP-SHOT? Nishi.
BB likes his soccer
Nishikori on the cover of the Japanese edition of Wii Grand Slam Tennis. He is also a playable character.
Kei singing a song by SMAP
~Long Story Short, Watch This Space~
Nishikori is a player to look out for. He is only 20 years old. He has the potential and raw talent to break into the top. To quote Nadal, 'He’s a very talented player. He needs to improve a few little things, but he’s going to be very good.'
He's adorable, talented and awesome. What more do you want? LOVE HIM!
Check out his Facebook, it's full of photos and flails.