
Former world number four Kei Nishikori bids farewell to professional tennis after a 6-4 6-4 defeat to Frances Tiafoe in Tokyo.
Former world number four Kei Nishikori concluded his 19-year professional tennis career after losing 6-4 6-4 to Frances Tiafoe at the Japan Open in Tokyo.
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Kei Nishikori is a former world number four who reached the 2014 US Open final and won bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics.
A tearful Kei Nishikori said he "kept fighting right to the end" as the former world number four ended his professional career at the Japan Open.
Nishikori, known as one of the best players to never win a Grand Slam, lost 6-4 6-4 to world number eight Frances Tiafoe in Tokyo.
The 36-year-old became the first Japanese man to reach a major final when he faced Marin Cilic in the 2014 US Open showpiece.
Nishikori beat then world number one Novak Djokovic on his way to the New York final and defeated Rafael Nadal for Olympic bronze at the 2016 Games in Rio.
He was, however, hampered by injuries throughout his 19-year career.
"Playing in Japan is always a special moment," an emotional Nishikori told his home crowd.
"I wish I could have put in a slightly more convincing performance. But I'm happy I kept fighting right to the end.
"I'm proud that I didn't give up and played right to the finish."

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