TOKYO (JAPAN) – Japan’s Kei Nishikori hopes to play against the best again in the world next year after his 2020 season was affected by COVID-19 and injury.
Nishikori spent 10 months after undergoing elbow surgery and was expected to return at this year’s US Open. However, he had to withdraw after testing positive for the novel coronavirus.
He played six tour-level matches before his season was hampered by another injury, this time to his shoulder. This was during a five-set loss to Italian Stefano Travaglia at the French Open in September.
Kyodo news quoted the former world number four as saying on Friday, “We had few tournaments (due to the pandemic) and my season came to an end when I was beginning to get my feel back.”
“I really can’t wait for next year.
“I couldn’t face top-10 ranked players this season. I want to compete at that level again as soon as I can.”
The 30-year-old is also looking forward to taking part at the Tokyo Olympics, which were pushed back by a year due to the pandemic.
“(My shoulder) has recovered to a decent level. It’ll be definitely okay for next year,” Nishikori said. “I’ll prepare (for the Olympics) assuming that they will take place.”