WASHINGTON, July 28, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)

This week is Kei Nishikori‘s opening farewell to pro tennis. Despite being oft-injured in recent years, his career will be fondly remembered as one that exceeded his hopes but also left him wanting to achieve so much more on the tennis court.

When Nishikori announced his plans in April to retire at the end of the 2026 season, it enabled him to shift his focus toward a selective schedule of final appearances rather than trying to pursue a full-time campaign.

Forever a legend ❤️

2015 DC champion @keinishikori will retire at the end of this season.#MubadalaCitiDCOpen pic.twitter.com/lSQZOBR5Xq

— Mubadala DC Open (@mubadaladcopen) May 1, 2026

Part of that selective schedule includes playing this week at the Mubadala DC Open in Washington, D.C., a tournament the 36-year-old Japanese star has appeared in nine times since his 2007 debut and won the title in 2015, one of his 12 career ATP Tour crowns. He accepted a wild card from tournament owner Mark Ein and on Monday evening, the former World No. 4 who is now ranked No. 721 faced 270th-ranked Shang Juncheng of China on John Harris Court, the second-largest show court at the H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Rock Creek Park.

Competing in his first ATP Tour match of the season and first tour-level event since Cincinnati last year – and first competition of any kind since the Savannah Challenger last April – Nishikori defeated Shang, 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4, in two hours and 31 minutes to advance to the second round. Next, he will face #NextGenATP rising start Rafael Jodar of Spain. The 19-year-old World No. 24 defeated World No. 22 and eighth-seeded Arthur Fils of France, 7-6 (5), 6-3, in one hour and 52 minutes on John Harris Court Tuesday afternoon.

Comeback Kei 👏

2015 champion @keinishikori claws back to defeat Shang 6-7 6-3 6-4 to reach the 2nd round in DC!#MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/BThKNID01w

— Mubadala DC Open (@mubadaladcopen) July 27, 2026

Nishikori outpointed Shang 107-99. His 26 winners included four aces and he won 73 percent (51 of 70) of his first-serve points. He faced no break points and converted two of nine break-point chances. Nishikori made 43 unforced errors, while Shang finished with 25 winners – including six aces – and committed 44 unforced errors.

With his victory over the 21-year-old Shang, which was his first ATP Tour win in 14 months, since defeating Learner Tien in the first round at Geneva in May 2025, Nishikori has now posted at least one tour-level win for the 20th straight season dating back to 2007. 

“Always feels great to win a match,” Nishikori said during his post-match news conference after defeating Shang, whom he described as both a friend and a regular hitting partner in Florida, while both were rehabbing from injuries earlier this year. “Especially in a big moment, big match, and a big tournament.

“It wasn’t easy. I think we both kind of started shaky, many unforced errors. But I think, especially me, I started playing better in second, and third played pretty solid today.”

Earlier in his career, the 5-foot-10-inch, 161-pound Nishikori built a solid foundation and became a national hero in Japan. He spent 212 weeks in the ATP Top 10, including three-straight years between September 2014 to September 2017. During 75 of those weeks, he was ranked inside the Top 5. He first broke into the ATP Top 100 as an 18-year-old teenager, after winning his first ATP Tour title at Delray Beach, Fla.

Last dance in DC ❤️@keinishikori | #MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/t4JYc6p0Kf

— Mubadala DC Open (@mubadaladcopen) July 27, 2026

Additionally, Nishikori reached the quarterfinals or better 12 times at the majors – including a run to the 2014 US Open final – and was a four-time finalist in Masters 1000 competition. He won an Olympic bronze medal in 2016 and also qualified for four year-end ATP Tour Finals. Although slowed by injuries to his left hip, right shoulder and lower back in recent years, Nishikori maintains a strong legacy back home in Japan and throughout Asia, and he’s well-liked by fans and media wherever he goes.

During his pre-tournament news conference Sunday afternoon, Nishikori was asked to describe his goals for this week. He gave a simple answer, saying: “To play a good match. This is weird feeling because I know when is the last tournament and I know there is only few more matches I can play. Of course, I want to do good, and I want to finish good. I want to play good tennis and finish it, and that’s going to be my goal.”

After rolling back the clock to beat Shang, who has missed much of this season due to injury and was playing in his first match since Dubai last February, Nishikori said he felt “pretty tired, honestly, and in the third set, end of the third set.”

However, he added, “But obviously, I was staying calm and focused, and I didn’t face any break points. That was great focus I think today.

“Yeah, I mean, obviously, you can see that he was a bit off. First match since … it’s been a long time, and he was giving me some chances today. So, I was a bit lucky today to win the match.”

Getting to work on time 👌@keinishikori 🤝 Learner Tien#MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/lHXI14Oz95

— Mubadala DC Open (@mubadaladcopen) July 25, 2026

Nishikori admits it won’t get any easier this week in Washington, considering he will face either Fils or Jodar in the second round. Both are ranked in the Top 25 and each has won an ATP Tournament this season – Fils in Barcelona and Jodar in Marrakech. “I know it’s going to be tough opponent next round, so I have to raise my level. I played good enough, but not best yet. So, I need more time to get my tennis back. Physically I’m still okay, so that’s good thing,” he said.

“Yeah, I’m happy to face both players. I mean, either one hits very hard and very fast, and I think that’s the Next Gen tennis and that I’m not really used to. I think that’s why I’m kind of excited to see how I can play and how it’s going to be challenge for me. I try to do my best.”

A special message from @keinishikori 📢#DCOpen | @mubadaladcopen pic.twitter.com/99YApGL2lO

— ATP Tour (@atptour) July 28, 2026

Looking ahead, Nishikori intends to play the US Open, where he hopes to receive wild cards to compete both in the singles qualifying draw and in mixed doubles with fellow Japanese star Naomi Osaka. His final farewell is expected to be at his home country tournament, the Japan Open in Tokyo this fall. It’s a tournament he’s won twice (2012, 2014). For now, though, Nishikori’s attention is focused on being back in Washington, D.C., where he’s been a fan favorite.

“I’m really thanks to the tournament to giving me the chance to play main draw, to play with those great players again,” Nishikori said. “Yeah, I have a good memory here. I played some good matches, won one time. Long time ago, but still, it’s in my head.

“I think it’s a little bit advantage for me to play here. Yeah, just keep it simple, play good tennis.”