© Getty Images Sports – Adam Hagee
Kei Nishikori has emphasized his goals and desire to continue his career as a professional tennis player, but admits that if he has to undergo surgery again, that might be it for him. Nishikori, who turns 34 on Friday, underwent surgery on his hip in January 2022. Nishikori injured his ankle during rehabilitation. Nishikori returned to tennis in June after being sidelined for 20 months before suffering a knee injury in his fourth tournament back. Nishikori hasn’t played in any tournaments since late July, so his knee recovery hasn’t gone as planned.
“My knee is getting better…I’m trying different methods (of treatment). I haven’t had any pain in my hip, but there’s still something wrong with it that could cause problems with my knee. Yes. I play tennis. “I haven’t had any lateral movement in the middle of the court for the past few months. Sometimes it looks like it only takes two more weeks[to recover]and sometimes it looks like it’s going to take another two months. Sometimes it seems necessary, such as this situation, and we are trying to find a solution.” Ankle injuries are also serious, and the ganglion cannot be removed at once, so the treatment is divided into several sessions ( I needed to have a ganglion removed (removal of a ganglion)…The ganglion seemed to keep coming back even if it got smaller, so I only needed one treatment. It was one week for almost two months,” Nishikori told Sports Hochi.
The ankle injury was also very difficult. It was not possible to remove the ganglion all at once, so the treatment (ganglion removal) was divided into several sessions.
— Seiadoumogera (@seaadoumogera) December 24, 2023
Nishikori hints that he may need to undergo surgery again
It was certainly heartbreaking for Nishikori to have to battle an injury so soon after returning from a long absence.
“I feel like it’s two or three times harder now than it was before I came back. Two months ago, I was completely convinced that if I had to have another surgery I would retire. ‘I can’t take it anymore. I thought, “I can’t do this anymore.” Now I’m calming down a bit by seeing some sunshine and playing tennis. But if I have to have another surgery, I might not be able to hold out. I don’t want to end my career with an injury, but it depends on the situation. “How I feel… at the same time, I want to keep playing from the bottom of my heart. So this is a battle between my motivation and the limits of my body and mind,” Nishikori said.
But if I had to have another surgery, I might not be able to bear it anymore. I don’t want my career to end due to injury, but it all depends on how I feel… At the same time, I want to continue playing from the bottom of my heart. So it’s a battle between my motivation and my physical/mental limitations.
— Seiadoumogera (@seiadoumogera) December 24, 2023
It remains to be seen if or when Nishikori will be able to play again.
