Former world No 4 Kei Nishikori is reportedly “two months away” from returning to action. Nishikori, 33, hasn’t played since late 2021.In 2022 January, Nishikori had hip surgery.

Nishikori’s initial goal was to be ready to return to action during the North American swing in 2022. But Nishikori suffered several setbacks as he ended up missing the entire 2022 season, as well as the start of the 2023 season.

Nishikori, who is now 33 years old and hasn’t played in a year and a half, is practicing and hoping to be able to play this summer.

After suffering several setbacks, Nishikori admitted that he had retirement thoughts.

But after realizing what it would lead to, Nishikori knew that was probably a mistake. Also, Nishikori said he realized he did not just want to quit and walk away from the game. “I casually mentioned that I thought about retirement, but afterwards I realized it would go into headlines, I was like, oops, I blew it.

It was honest feeling, so I might not be able to hide it, or I might express it to wash away my gloomy feeling, I don’t know. I’ve made much effort and it’s a shame to bring it to naught due to injury. I’m not sure if this is the right way to say it, but I feel like I’m kinda talented and I have reached the position that not so many people can reach, that makes me feel like it’s too good to give up.

If my career-high ranking were 100, I might not have thought like that, and it would be disappointing to end my career due to injury. Federer played tennis until 40, so I think I can keep playing five more years at the least and seven more years at the most,” Nishikori told Asahi Sports in late 2022.