Kei Nishikori reveals comeback plans – and he wants his old ranking back

Kei Nishikori has given an update on his current injury situation, and revealed the date he wants to make his return to the ATP Tour.

Nishikori missed the last part of the 2021 season in the hope he could be ready to make a strong start this year, but that has not happened.

That has not happened, and he has undergone hip surgery in an attempt to find a solution to his latest problem.

It follows a frustrating time battle elbow issues, but the former world number four is finally able to provisionally schedule his comeback to tennis.

“If all goes well, I might be able to play the US Open this year,” Nishikori said at a sponsor event.

“I’m trying to be ready in time for the Rakuten Japan Open in October if it is held this year. I don’t think I have ten more years in my tennis career, so I want to live each day to the fullest”

Nishikori has had a horrendous time with injury over the last few years, although he is not ready to accept his days a top player are necessarily over.

“As I said earlier, first of all, I want to return to [my] ranking.

“First, I still have some goals so that I can return to the top 10, but eventually I will return to that position

As for why that is so important, Nishikori explains: “So that I can fight in the second half of the tournament instead of the current Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic in the first round.

“It is a big feeling that I want to return to that place again.”

Kei Nishikori has not played since Indian Wells in October, and he has seen his ranking drop to number 85 in the world during that time.