OMNIUM BANQUE NATIONALE

August 8, 2024

Kei Nishikori

Press Conference

K. NISHIKORI/S. Tsitsipas

6-4, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Kei Nishikori. Any questions, please.

Q. Hi, Kei. Congratulations for maybe the biggest win of your last few years. How do you read it? What do you retain?

KEI NISHIKORI: I really started well today I think compared to my first match. I was very shaky, and there was many up and downs in the first match, but today I was solid from the beginning.

There was some shaky moment. Like 5-2, he came back 5-4, and I was serving 15-40. There were some moments that I had to step it up and focus again, but I really did it well.

Yeah, very happy to win someone like him that I was not expected really now to beat those guys yet. So I'm really looking forward to play next couple of rounds.

Q. He took a timeout, if we can say, when you were serving at 5-2 in the first set talking to his father, coach. I think he had a break at this time as well. He broke your service. How did you manage the situation, and what was going through your mind at that time?

KEI NISHIKORI: No, I didn't think much because it wasn't, like, first time for him I guess, so I was not confused much. Just a little bit surprised that he played much better after that, so I had to stay focused again.

That I didn't really care. He can do whatever he wants, but the only bad thing is he started playing better. Like I said, it was 15-40. Almost went to 5-All. I was really lucky that somehow I managed to hold the game.

Q. You were asked how you read the win. How do you see it for the future for you?

KEI NISHIKORI: It was great win. Those two matches that I won for sure will give me some confidence, especially because I played really bad last week in Olympics.

Draper killed me very easy, and I was, like, I wasn't sure how long it will take to come back. I was really doubt myself last week. So this win and how I played today and, yes, first match really helped for next couple of months.

I will play some Challengers to get more confidence, play more matches hopefully, and hope I can get back on the tour again. Top 100 next year, that's what I'm aiming for. So these two wins will help for sure.

Q. You've had some victories during this comeback, and I'm thinking particularly in Paris against the Canadian, but the next match after, the body really sort of struggled to recover. So to have a long match and then to come back in this one, how is your body feeling, and are you surprised that you were able to put two in a row together?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah. I mean, because I haven't played many matches, my body is sorer than usual because I'm not used to playing a lot of matches now. I'm still okay to play a couple more matches, I guess, so that's a good thing.

Yeah, I'm sure if I can keep playing many more matches, my body will adapt, and hopefully I can stay healthy.

Q. You played some prestigious matches in your career. Now you have to go back to play some Challengers sometimes. Is it hard on your morale as a player?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, it's not easy, of course. This is better facility, better everything. But, I mean, I was out for long time, and this is something I like to do when I come back.

I use all my protected already. That's something I have to do now. So, I mean, I cannot say any excuse. I just need more matches I guess to play and get more confidence.

Q. First time in a round of 16 of a major tournament, a Master 1000 or a Grand Slam since 2021 and the French Open. How big of a relief is it to be at that stage of a tournament again?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, I think I'm still on the way to coming back 100%. I still not expecting playing great tennis every match. You know, I think there is going to be many up and downs still.

Today I did really well, but hopefully I can stay playing like today. It's been a long time. I don't feel like it's been three years playing Masters again, but hope I can come back to this stage again next year.

Q. Kei, some players are complaining about the balls and they are flying around. Stefanos said they were dead. What are your thoughts on this?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, in the beginning first couple of days of practice I couldn't control any balls. I have to say I didn't like it, but now somehow I like it.

I mean, I hear that in the locker room. Everybody is complaining. That's very obvious. But, yeah, it is different, different than other tournaments.

Q. (Off microphone.)

KEI NISHIKORI: I mean, courts are fast, and balls get flat very easy, very quick. So balls get fly and heavy -- well, started heavy and get light very quick. So it is different.

Q. Just to make sure I understand you well, what's the best scenario for you to come back like on a pretty much regular basis on the ATP Tour?

KEI NISHIKORI: Best scenario?

Q. Where do you go in the next few weeks, next coming weeks, and then later until the end of the year?

KEI NISHIKORI: Well, because I cannot play US Open, I have to choose to play Challenger. I go Italy. Well, I go to Cary next week and to Challengers in Italy and hope I can play the Asian Tour because I'm from there, so I hope I can play good there.

Yeah, like I said, I usually like to play Challenger too when I come back. Maybe I made some mistake that when I came back this time, I played many top players last couple months that didn't give me a good rhythm. And, of course, they are tough opponents, so it was not easier.

I think next few weeks hope I can get more points, more matches. Yeah, that's my plan next couple months.

Q. There could be some rain delays over the next few days, which can be frustrating for the players. Do you feel this tournament should invest in a new roof for the central court?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah (laughing). If they have money, yes.