When I heard the news of Kei Nishikori’s retirement, I was reminded once again how great his achievements were.What he accomplished is something all Japanese people can truly be proud of.
Because of Nishikori, so many junior players in Japan started playing tennis.
I am one of them.

My interest in tennis began when I watched him play at the Rio Olympics.He looked so cool on the court — shining and inspiring.
I was never the type of kid who asked for things, but the one thing I really wanted was a
racket — the Nishikori model.

After the Olympics, with that racket in my hands, I quit soccer, which I had been playing until then, and started tennis that autumn.
The first time I saw Nishikori play in person was at Roland Garros in 2018.I still clearly remember how fascinated I was by his fantastic movement on the court.
(By that time, I had already become a Rafa cosplayer.)

You made tennis look exciting, fun, and cool to so many kids.
Thank you very much.
The tennis journey that began because of you has somehow brought me all the way to where I am today.

Of course, I would still love to watch you play.
But I hope that, from time to time, you will continue to share your unique and authentic perspective with us.
And someday, I hope to see you again somewhere around a tennis court.
You inspired a generation.