Alcaraz warned as ex-Federer rival gunning for showdown forward of two-year return

Kei Nishikori has admitted that he’s gunning for a gathering with Carlos Alcaraz as he makes his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour. The former world No 4 as soon as challenged the likes of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer on the greatest tournaments however has been sidelined for nearly two years after present process hip surgical procedure however is again in motion in Atlanta.

Nishikori has not performed an ATP Tour occasion since Indian Wells in October 2021. The 2014 US Open finalist underwent hip surgical procedure final yr and returned to Challenger circuit competitors in June – successful his first match again in Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico.

The Japanese tennis star will now be hoping to translate his instant success onto the top-tier ATP Tour as he competes on this week’s Atlanta Open. Ahead of his tour-level comeback, Nishikori defined how he managed to remain motivated throughout his virtually two-year hiatus from competitors.

Having watched Alcaraz’s rise from afar, the 12-time title winner stated he could not wait to get a shot at going through the world No 1, in addition to fellow younger gun Holger Rune. “I had hip surgery, I sprained my ankle during these 20 months, and my shoulder was bad. So I had a couple of different injuries,” Nishikori instructed the ATP.

“That was also why it was tough to maintain the motivation, but I just wanted to play tennis again and compete again.” The former world No 4 was additionally spurred on by watching gamers from his period proceed to win the largest titles – particularly Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, who’ve gained 5 of the seven Grand Slams since January 2022.

He added: “And especially watching Djokovic, Rafa still playing, fighting. And I haven’t played against [Carlos] Alcaraz, [Holger] Rune. That’s something I also can’t wait to play against them.” Nishikori has loads of expertise in enjoying the game’s biggest champions and beating them – and it is one thing Alcaraz will probably be effectively conscious of in the event that they do get to satisfy on the tennis courtroom.

En path to his solely Grand Slam ultimate on the US Open 9 years in the past, Nishikori shocked Djokovic within the semi-final. Aged simply 24 on the time, he wanted lower than three hours to stun the world No 1 however misplaced to Marin Cilic within the ultimate.