The US Open is right around the corner, as the stars of the ATP Tour finish up their pre-tournament preparations.
128 men are walking around the facilities at Flushing Meadows right now, all with the belief they can do something special at the US Open.
In 2024, it was Jannik Sinner who emerged victorious, producing several ‘special’ performances en route to his maiden title.
The year before, it was Novak Djokovic who clinched the title, as fans on Arthur Ashe Stadium saw him win a record-extending 24th Grand Slam.
Several other players will be looking to get in on the action in 2025, although one ATP veteran won’t be joining them, having now announced his withdrawal from the tournament.
Kei Nishikori withdraws from the US Open with a back injury
Announcing his withdrawal on X, 2014 US Open finalist Kei Nishikori updated fans on his back injury.
“Hi fans, unfortunately, I will not be ready for the US Open yet,” he said.
“I had an MRI taken of my back, and it’s not 100% healed yet.
“Working hard to be back on court soon. Thanks for the support.”
After skipping the French Open and Wimbledon with an injury, Nishikori returned to action at the Cincinnati Open, where he lost to Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in round one.
Now set to miss another major tournament, the 35-year-old will have one eye on making a return to Grand Slam action at the 2026 Australian Open.
Injuries continue to trouble the Japanese star, who was once one of the most consistent players in the men’s game.
Between 2018 and 2019, Nishikori qualified for five consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals, including a run to the last four of the US Open.
- 2018 Wimbledon – Kei Nishikori lost in QF to Novak Djokovic
- 2018 US Open – Kei Nishikori lost in SF to Novak Djokovic
- 2019 Australian Open – Kei Nishikori lost in QF to Novak Djokovic
- 2019 French Open – Kei Nishikori lost in QF to Rafael Nadal
- 2019 Wimbledon – Kei Nishikori lost in QF to Roger Federer
Coming up short against the ‘big three’ during his best years, Nishikori soon fell out of contention when his body began to fail him.
Missing the majority of the 2022 and 2023 seasons with injury, Nishikori began his ascent back to the top in 2024.
Winning a Challenger title at the end of 2024, Nishikori carried that momentum forward to 2025, immediately finding success on the ATP Tour.
Kicking off his season in Hong Kong, Nishikori reached the final but just missed out on the title, losing to Alexandre Muller in three sets.
Unfortunately for Nishikori, he hasn’t been able to maintain that level in 2025, and currently remains outside the world’s top 80.
| Tournament | Tier | Surface | Performance |
| Hong Kong Open | ATP 250 | Hard | Lost in F |
| Australian Open | Grand Slam | Hard | Lost in 2R |
| Dallas Open | ATP 500 | Hard | Lost in 1R |
| Delray Beach Open | ATP 250 | Hard | Lost in 1R |
| Indian Wells | Masters 1000 | Hard | Lost in 2R |
| Houston | ATP 250 | Clay | Lost in 2R |
| Madrid Open | Masters 1000 | Clay | Lost in 2R |
| Geneva Open | ATP 250 | Clay | Lost in 2R |
| Cincinnati Open | Masters 1000 | Hard | Lost in 1R |
The former world number four certainly would’ve hoped for more, having begun the year in such fine form.
Now, it’s time for Nishikori to rest and recover, ahead of his 2026 Grand Slam campaign, where he will try to remind fans of why he was so dangerous at the major tournaments during his younger years.
Kei Nishikori’s sensational 2014 US Open run
In 2014, Nishikori travelled to New York as the number-ten seed and quietly went about his business during the first week.
Winning his opening three matches in straight sets, Nishikori advanced to the last 16, where he battled past Canada’s Milos Raonic in a deciding set.
Finishing one marathon match, Nishikori needed another to get through the quarterfinals, outlasting Stan Wawrinka 3-6, 7-5, 7-6, 6-7, 6-4, advancing to his maiden Grand Slam semifinal.
Semifinal day at the 2014 US Open will live long in the memory of those in attendance, as the underdogs shone on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Marin Cilic and Kei Nishikori stunned Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic, as the 14th and 10th seeds booked their places in the final.
A first-time Slam winner was guaranteed, but it wasn’t to be for Nishikori as he ran out of steam in the final, losing 3-6, 3-6, 3-6 to Cilic.
Nishikori hasn’t returned to a Grand Slam final since, and as he enters his late 30s, the chances of him doing so now don’t seem too great.
However, regardless of his form, Nishikori is still one of the most beloved players on tour, and he will be sorely missed in New York.
Perhaps he will make his return in 2026, when the tournament begins on August 31.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
