Andy Rodddick may been retired from the singles game since 2012, but the former World No.1 showed he still has game by defeating Kei Nishikori 8-3 in an exhibition event in Japan.
Nishikori, who finished the year ranked No.5 after a strong season including a semi-final display at the ATP World Tour Finals, was beaten by the big-serving American in the eleven game exhibition. Roddick had won the only tour meeting between the two in San Jose 6-2, 6-4 when Nishikori was an up-and-coming teenager.
This event was organised to raise funds to aid people affected by a earthquake that had struck the region in 2011. Nishikori -“We tried to create an event that would raise money for the disaster area and bring the tennis community together to help Japan”.
The end of the season will see Nishikori compete in the off-season exhibition event the International Premier Tennis League. Nishikori anchors the Japan Warriors, with the likes of Fernando Verdasco and Marat Safin also in his team. The event also sees the return of seventeen-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer after a five month absence.
