WOWOW to Broadcast Documentary on Kei Nishikori’s Final Months

Kei Nishikori closed his 19-year professional tennis career in October at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open, following a career shaped by a 2014 US Open singles runner-up finish and a career-high ranking of world number four in 2015.

WOWOW reported that it will broadcast and stream a documentary on November 14 titled Kei Nishikori Last Road: The Trajectory from the Last Grand Slam to the Japan Open. The program traces Nishikori’s final three months on tour, navigating persistent injuries that included hip surgery and ankle sprains.

Three figures close to Nishikori served as navigators for the documentary, viewing match footage and interviews while sharing behind-the-scenes stories. Shuzo Matsuoka, a former world number 46 and pioneer of Japanese men’s tennis, invited a young Nishikori to his junior training camp, acting as a key bridge to the international stage.

Satoshi Iwabuchi took over as Nishikori’s tour coach in 2024, accompanying him through his final two years on the circuit. Shingo Kunieda, winner of 50 Grand Slam titles across singles and doubles alongside five Paralympic gold medals, shared the unique pressures of being a frontrunner in wheelchair tennis.

Peers Observe Nishikori's Demeanor

“I didn’t really learn anything new because I was with him basically the whole time, even though I couldn’t go to the last US Open,” Satoshi Iwabuchi told WOWOW.

Kunieda observed shifts in Nishikori’s demeanor after his retirement announcement. “When I looked at Kei-kun’s facial expressions and footage of his matches after the retirement announcement, I often wondered if he really wanted to retire,” Kunieda told WOWOW.

“Conversely, maybe announcing his retirement gave him a sense of relief. From then on, he might have felt that every tournament was a bonus stage, freed from pressure and ready to burn out completely.”

Matsuoka offered a different perspective on discovering private details during the recording. “For me, it was full of things I didn’t know,” Matsuoka told WOWOW.

“I coach juniors, but once they turn professional, I try to keep a certain distance. I don’t reach out or eat meals together. But this time I heard all kinds of stories—about video games, how he switches between on and off the court, and his kindness.”

Nishikori Prepares for Tiafoe

Following the US Open, Nishikori described feeling like a burnt-out candle, but his approach shifted as the Japan Open drew closer. Iwabuchi said that Nishikori returned to his usual nervous, meticulous preparation ahead of facing Frances Tiafoe.

“The match against Frances Tiafoe, he went into it with a real desire to win, and I felt his switch was firmly turned on,” Iwabuchi told WOWOW.

“Even though he started behind after a backhand volley miss uncharacteristic of him due to nerves, he immediately caught up and I felt—and he must have felt—that he could really do this,” Matsuoka told WOWOW.

“What made me even happier was that after the match ended, tears overflowed from Kei Nishikori’s eyes. It made me realize how much this player truly loves tennis.”

Kunieda drew parallels to his own departure from competitive sport after the Tokyo Paralympics. “I thought, ‘There’s no ending better than this, I’ll retire now,’ though I ended up playing one more year,” Kunieda told WOWOW.

“The difference between Kei-kun and me is just whether we said it out loud beforehand.”

Disclaimer: The insights provided in this article are for informational and entertainment purposes only and do not constitute medical advice or sports betting recommendations.