In a recent interview Kei Nishikori has explained that he felt scared during his rehabilitation for his wrist injury as he sets his sights on a grand slam title in 2019.
The Japanese star made quite the comeback from wrist injury in 2018 as he went from playing American challenger events to reaching finals of Masters 1000 events. The reward for his amazing comeback was a place at the ATP Finals in London, where he crashed out at the Round Robin phase despite beating Roger Federer.
However this comeback could have had a different story to it as Nishikori has revealed he felt scared during the rehabilitation process. The former US Open finalist was told that his career could end unless he had surgery on his reward.
A risky move saw him ignore doctors advice as he decided to rehab and rest his wrist. In an interview with Kyodo News, Nishikori explained his emotions during the difficult time, “I was scared. The wrist is needed in tennis,” Nishikori revealed.
“I just kept thinking I would always have to play with this feeling of anxiety. went without surgery but I was told there was a possibility that it might happen again. I kept playing with my major goal being a return [to the top of the rankings]. I had a feeling throughout this season that I was climbing a staircase, one step at a time.”
The 28 year-old also his goal for the 2019 season as he looks to break into Tennis’s elite, “I want to gun for my best, as I always have, and win a Grand Slam title or a Masters title. That is my goal,” Nishikori explained.
“I played without pressure this year. I was able to take a full swing at tennis, but I know I need to aim higher next year.”
The world number nine will start his 2019 season in Brisbane, joining Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal, Grigor Dimitrov and Nick Kyrgios in a world class field.