Sports · Tennis · 9 hrs ago
Kei Nishikori reunites with Roger Federer in Tokyo after retirement
Kei Nishikori, a recently retired Japanese tennis player, reunited with Roger Federer in Tokyo on Sunday.
The former rivals talked about their matches and played together in a doubles exhibition.
Nishikori reached No.
4 in the world rankings in 2015 and won three of his 11 career matches against Federer.
He first met Federer as a 16-year-old training partner in Miami, when Federer was his boyhood hero.
Federer praised Nishikori’s skill and said he had expected him to become a player who could beat him.
Nishikori said competing with Federer and other leading players was a major motivation during his career.
Federer said Nishikori had left a major mark on Japanese tennis and deserved the praise he is receiving after retirement.
Kei Nishikori reunited with Roger Federer in Tokyo on Sunday after retiring from professional tennis.
The pair reflected on their rivalry and played together in a doubles exhibition match.
Nishikori said Federer had been his boyhood hero and recalled training with him in Miami when he was 16.
Federer praised Nishikori’s ability and said he had left a huge mark on Japanese tennis.
- Who
- Retired Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori and Swiss tennis great Roger Federer.
- What
- They reunited, reflected on their rivalry and played as a doubles pair in an exhibition match.
- When
- Sunday, October 11, 2026.
- Where
- Tokyo, Japan.
- Why
- They met to reflect on their rivalry, and the event celebrated Nishikori’s retirement.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
I was able to learn a lot, that those were the kind of shots the world No. 1 hits and the dedication he makes in training.
I was struck by his incredible ball striking.
He's an amazing player.
He trained with Federer for a week in Miami.
Nishikori won two of his first three meetings with Federer.
Nishikori reached fourth in the men's rankings.
Nishikori recorded his final win over Federer at the ATP Finals.
The retired Nishikori reunited with Federer in Tokyo and played doubles in an exhibition match.
- Nishikori's age
- 36
- Federer's age
- 45
- Nishikori's career-high ranking
- No. 4, reached in March 2015
- Nishikori's wins against Federer
- 3 of 11 career meetings
- Federer's Grand Slam titles
- 20
Sources
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