WASHINGTON, December 6, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
After missing much of the 2020 season due to a shoulder injury and after testing positive for COVID-19 just before the US Open in August, Japan’s Kei Nishikori told Kyoto News in Japan he’s eager to return to competition in 2021.
“We had few tournaments (due to the pandemic) and my season came to an end when I was beginning to get my feel back,” Nishikori said Friday during an online news conference with Japanese media. “I really can’t wait for next year.”
The 30-year-old Nishikori, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 4 five years ago but whose world ranking has dropped to No. 41 due to inactivity, was limited to just six matches spread over four tournaments (Kitzbuhel, Rome, Hamburg and Paris) this season He went 2-4. His only wins were against Albert Ramos-Violas in Rome and Daniel Evans at Roland Garros.
“My shoulder has recovered to a decent level,” said Nishikori, born in Shimane, Japan, who now resides in Bradenton, Fla. “It’ll be definitely okay for next year. I’ll prepare (for the Olympics) assuming that they will take place.”
🚴♂️ pic.twitter.com/CtrN4HG7YF
— Kei Nishikori (@keinishikori) November 14, 2020
Simon: The Paris Match interview
In a recent interview with Paris Match, France’s Gilles Simon suggested that in his home country, victory is not always enough. “You also need ‘class’ in addition,” he said.
“We see talent as a great potential, and therefore only those who have it, are allowed to have the ambition that goes with it. While many have shown the reverse. And already, what is talent? At the very least, it is multiple and hard to define. Leaving with ambition, certainly with means, allows bigger dreams. However, and this is where I agree, our school tends to prioritize talent first.”
Click on the link to read the complete Paris Match interview.
Gilles Simon : “le plus fort ? Novak Djokovic. Il a plus de réponses, face à plus de monde. ” https://t.co/Ebg2hM3R13 via @RomainClergeat @DjokerNole @rogerfederer @RafaelNadal @GillesSimon84 @rolandgarros @ThibaultLeRol @fabsantoro72 @NoahYannick @ericsalliot
— romain clergeat (@RomainClergeat) December 4, 2020
Vika: A thought for today
☀️
Keep my word positive. Words become my behaviors. Keep my behaviors positive. Behaviors become my habits. Keep my habits positive. Habits become my values. Keep my values positive. Values become my destiny.
❤️
— victoria azarenka (@vika7) November 29, 2020
Nadal: ‘Have some fun’
If Rafael Nadal could give only one advice to a kid who wants to become a pro tennis player:
“Do you best to improve each day but most of all, have some fun.”
(🎥 @El_Hormiguero) pic.twitter.com/T6xnllD9PM
— We Are Tennis (@WeAreTennis) December 4, 2020
Feli and Garbiñe sharing workout
🎾🙌🏼 Gran entreno junto a @feliciano_lopez pic.twitter.com/TRTNVVkyLZ
— Conchita Martínez (@conchitamartinz) December 4, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Sabine Lisicki / The road to recovery
I know this seems like nothing but I’m so happy to be doing my first baby squats!! 🥳
Es sieht vielleicht unspektakulär aus, aber ich freue mich sehr meine ersten Mini Squats zu machen 🥳#Kreuzbandriss #reha #squat #happy pic.twitter.com/1o9SOwjEcn
— Sabine Lisicki (@sabinelisicki) December 4, 2020
Karen Khachanov / Ready to return from Covid-19
Few more days and our quarantine will finish. My family and I are feeling fine. Hopefully on Monday I will be slowly starting to work again and prepare for 2021! Thank you everybody for your kind messages during those 2 weeks!💪🏻🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/Yih6Ouiv3G
— Karen Khachanov (@karenkhachanov) December 4, 2020
Elina Svitolina / Expectations versus reality
Trip to #Tenerife ☀️ :
Expectations 🍓vs Reality 😅 pic.twitter.com/8gDAQyGYj9— Elina Svitolina (@ElinaSvitolina) December 5, 2020