The joy & motivation of Kei Nishikori

The smile on Kei Nishikori’s face said it all Tuesday afternoon in Montreal. The former No. 4 in the PIF ATP Rankings had just crushed a forehand winner past #NextGenATP American Alex Michelsen to seal his place in the second round of the Omnium Banque National présenté par Rogers.

More importantly, it was a flash of the Japanese star’s best tennis. The 34-year-old enjoyed finding that form to battle on at the ATP Masters 1000 event.

“In the end, yes, but first and second sets, no, because I still struggled with how I played,” Nishikori told ATPTour.com, cracking a laugh. “I think that's because I haven't played many matches and I don't have confidence, and especially [since] I lost easily last week. I didn't play good last week. That's why I was also worried coming into today.

“But in the end, I was playing much better, like I wanted to play, so I have to be happy with how I played today.”

Nishikori has hit the highest of highs in the sport, earning 435 tour-level wins, 12 ATP Tour titles, competing in four Nitto ATP Finals and reaching a major final at the 2014 US Open. Competing in just his ninth tournament since October 2021, he is beginning his journey back towards the top of the tennis world.

By his side is 2002 Australian Open champion Thomas Johansson, who began coaching Nishikori earlier this year.

“He's such a nice guy. He's doing everything he can to be able to come back. And I think I have to say he's one of, if not the most talented player I've ever worked with because everything comes very easy for him,” said Johansson, who has coached the likes of David Goffin, Maria Sakkari and Sorana Cirstea. “He's also very light in his body, so his movement is quite effortless. So it's been a lot of fun, but of course, we had some setbacks with some injuries here and there, and that I think could be the only thing that is holding him back, because I feel like the tennis is improving week by week, but we need to be able to keep his body in shape.”

Nishikori is also clearly enjoying his time on the court and with the fans. After his match point against Michelsen, he looked at his team nearly laughing from how well he closed out the match. “I surprise myself too sometimes,” he joked.

“It was different when I was young. I feel like I'm trying to enjoy it a little more because I really appreciate where I am right now. I cannot compare to those top four players, but I still am in good position and I think I showed good tennis today, so that gives me a little more motivation coming in this summer. I'm always looking forward to playing.”

The World No. 576 explained that it has not always been easy, especially at the Paris Olympics, where he lost in straight sets in the first round to Jack Draper. But he believes that the more matches he plays, the quicker his confidence will build.

“I think I just need a couple more matches, good matches, even if I lose,” Nishikori said. “I think that gives me a little bit more confidence every week. And I hope I can play [more] good tennis next round.”

Since arriving in Montreal, Nishikori has benefitted from training with the game’s biggest stars, including World No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Daniil Medvedev.

“This is also what he needs,” Johansson said. “He needs to feel how they play, how they move, how they serve, how they return. He's such a smart player, so he will pick it up.”

Nishikori added: “I've been practising with Jannik a lot in Monaco and here too. I think that's helping a lot, because they are a little bit different than other Top 10 players. The Top 10 players give me good rhythm, and you have to be ready every point, and they don't give you free points. So I always enjoy it, and it's good for me. I don't know if it's good for them, but it's obviously helping me to get back to my level.”

The good thing for Nishikori is that he has the tools to find his best game. Johansson raved about the Japanese player’s ball-striking ability.

“For me, the contact that he has [with] the ball is just insane. And you can tell him in practice, ‘Try to do this, try to do that’, and he does it like that,” Johansson said, snapping his fingers. “And this, I think, is a gift. But also he sees things very clear on the court. So for example, when he plays a match, and then after we discuss, we see pretty much the same things. So he's very aware of what happens on the court. And I think that’s his biggest gift.”

Nishikori will try to show that on Court Rogers Thursday, when he plays eighth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Montreal second round. They have split their two previous Lexus ATP Head2Head meetings, the most recent of which came three years ago in Miami.

“I think I have to enjoy, keep my motivation ready every week,” Nishikori said. “Right now, I cannot expect to be playing good tennis 100 per cent yet. So I just need to enjoy every match, and hopefully sometimes my tennis will be back.”