TENNIS
Nishikori: “I don’t think that we have seen anyone like Alcaraz before”
The Japanese player, who is back in the ATP elite after a long absence due to injury, praised the current Wimbledon champion.
The hard-court season is back with the Atlanta Open being played until Sunday. After that, there will be a series of 250 and 500 events that will take place before the two Masters 1000 in Toronto and Cincinnati that will serve as preparation for the players to get in the best shape possible before the US Open.
All eyes will be on Carlos Alcaraz next week, as the Spanish star will compete again in Toronto after taking some well-deserved rest. The Wimbledon champion will be looking for his third Grand Slam tournament in New York, where he won his first major last year after defeating Casper Ruud in the final.
Alcaraz has taken the tennis world by storm over the last two years with his hunger and talent that have led him to the world No. 1 spot and beat Novak Djokovic in a Grand Slam event, something that many players have highly praised.
Nishikori, impressed by Alcaraz
One of them is Kei Nishikori, who is competing again after 21 months of inactivity due to injury. The Japanese player admitted that he had never seen anyone play the way Alcaraz does.
“I don’t think we have seen anyone like Alcaraz before. He looks like Rafa but he has more speed”, he told the ATP.
“Good defense, unbelievable forehand and he has a good backhand too”, he added.
The former world No. 4 also said that part of his successful recovery and comeback to the tennis courts is also due to his will of facing Alcaraz and other rising stars like Holger Rune and Jannik Sinner.
“One thing I hope to get the chance to do is to play against these great young players like Alcaraz, Rune and Sinner at some point”, Nishikori said.
Nishikori had hip surgery in January 2022. He tried to compete at the highest level after that but he didn’t succeed due to injuries, including an ankle issue that kept him away from the courts for the rest of the year.