'Cannot ask for more': Kei Nishikori launches comeback with Palmas del Mar Challenger title

2021 FLASHBACK: Nishikori reaches semis in Washington, D.C.

A Kei-O performance to remember.

After being sidelined for 20 months, Kei Nishikori’s return to a match court was worth the agonizing wait. Out with a left hip injury that ultimately required surgery—and forced to push back his comeback on multiple occasions due to setbacks that included a right ankle sprain—Nishikori emerged victorious at the Caribbean Open on Sunday.

“The way I played, it was pretty high level and I cannot ask for more than this,” Nishikori shared in an Instagram video. “[Being] able to play five matches in a row and my body is OK, that's most important—being healthy. Thanks everybody for waiting so long.”

A wild card entrant at the ATP Challenger event in Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico, Nishikori went all the way to the title by winning 10 of the 11 sets he played. When it came time for Nishikori to cap his week off, there were understandable signs of nerves.

Despite failing to serve out Michael Zheng on two occasions, Nishikori broke the American teenager at love and made it third time’s the charm on his racquet to seal a 6-2, 7-5 victory. The output Nishikori produced throughout the week provided the 2014 US Open finalist encouraging signs that there’s plenty more to come in his latest chapter as a professional tennis player.

“Winning this tournament was more than I expected. I can’t believe I could play like that,” he was quoted as saying by the Japan Times. “The way I played the final has made me think I could play on the (ATP) tour.”

Among those congratulating Japan’s highest-ranked ATP player in history immediately afterwards was Andy Murray, who knows a thing or two about navigating hip injuries and gaining confidence away from tour-level tournaments. Hours earlier, Murray captured his second successive Challenger title on grass with his run in Nottingham.

“Well done @keinishikori winning on your comeback,” tweeted Murray.

Responded Nishikori, “Thank you Andy! You are a big inspiration.”

With his efforts, the previously unranked Nishikori reappeared on Monday's ATP rankings at No. 492.