NATIONAL BANK OPEN

August 10, 2021

Kei Nishikori

Press Conference

K. NISHIKORI/M. Kecmanovic

6-4, 6-7, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Welcome back to Canada. Nice to have you in Toronto. This is an event you have played some great tennis in the past, making the finals in 2016. How happy are you to be back in Canada competing at another Masters 1000 here?

KEI NISHIKORI: Oh, I forgot about played final here (smiling). But, yeah, I played some good tennis. I remember that, I don't know if it was here or Montreal, but I beat Rafa with very good tennis.

I am happy to coming back here. Of course I have been playing well, so I was happy way I played today. Not an easy match, but happy to go through.

Q. On your tennis, obviously you seem to be carrying some good momentum over from making the semifinals in Washington and then beating Kecmanovic today. What's your confidence level like on the court right now?

KEI NISHIKORI: I'm feeling pretty good. Yeah, unfortunately lost semis last week, but still, I thought I was playing good tennis.

Today, second set, he was playing amazing. He didn't miss much and playing aggressive. I didn't expect to lose tiebreak, but I think I focus back again and very solid third set.

Q. I know the Olympics just ended and you're pushing forward along your ATP Tour schedule, but when you look back at that experience, playing the Olympics in your home country, what are the most memorable things that stand out to you about that experience?

KEI NISHIKORI: Well, I feel like from Olympics I have been start playing better. I don't really know why, but maybe, you know, it was big tournaments and also playing home, I know the venue for a long time, and, you know, I don't know why, but, yeah, from the first match against Rublev, I start playing so much better and more confidence coming up. I mean, it was good experience.

Of course little shame that we didn't have any spectators, but, I mean, still, it was fun and I enjoyed. I mean, better I could get a medal, but lost to great player. But still, it was good experience.

Q. Could you tell us, how are you going to approach the next match?

KEI NISHIKORI: Well, I lost to him somewhere, I don't remember, but he's been playing good. Big serve, fast courts. But, yeah, we'll see. I have been playing well, too, so I just try to play good tennis.