Former US Open finalist Kei Nishikori is refusing to be lured into a false sense of security following his run at the Monte Carlo Masters.
The world No.36, who was unseeded in the draw, exceeded expectations by making Sunday’s final at the Monte Carlo Club. Scoring back-to-back wins over Marin Cilic and Alexander Zverev on route. He was denied his maiden Masters title by top seed Rafael Nadal, who powered to a 6-3, 6-2, win to secure his 11th trophy at the tournament.
“It was a great week for me, I think one of the greatest weeks I’ve had after coming back from injury. I’m very happy to have made the final here.” Nishikori said about his performance. “I didn’t quite play well today, but I had a great three matches, three sets, (over the) last three days.”
Nishikori delayed his start to the 2018 season due to a wrist injury that had sidelined him since August. Prior to returning to the ATP Tour, he played a couple tournaments on the Challenger circuit. Winning a title in Dallas. Since then he has made a steady return to the tour with a series of up and down performances. Ranging from a first round loss to Denis Shapovalov in Mexico to his run in Monte Carlo.
Despite the encouraging performances, Nishikori remains cautious about how his body is holding up. Against Nadal in the final he was seen shaking his wrist. A trait he has been doing in other matches too.
“My wrist is not 100% playing on clay. I was having tough moments all this week.” He revealed.
“I think it’s more pain, especially playing on clay you got to use your wrist a little more. You got to hit more spin. Automatically you got to hit spin. I think it makes little tougher than a hard court. That makes my wrist hurt little bit.”
It is inevitable that a player such as Nishikori would experience such pain after a lengthy injury absence. Argentina’s Juan Martin del Potro is another player that has gone through the same as the Japanese player, but in a more extreme circumstance. The only alarming thing is the admission that Nishikori’s pain goes beyond his wrist.
“I got to check every week, every day. It’s not 100% yet.” He stated.”It’s not just my wrist. It’s my hands, my arm, everywhere. I got to take care every week.”
Regardless of the pain, Nishikori is pressing ahead with his schedule. He will now travel to Spain to play in the Barcelona Open, where he could have a rematch against Nadal in the third round.
