Kei Nishikori And Brad Gilbert Form Team

Written by: Staff on 31st December 2010

Kei Nishikori And Brad Gilbert Form Team

Kei Nishikori (JPN) |

Top-100 Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori has added Brad Gilbert, one of the game’s most sought-after coaches, as his new traveling coach and mentor, for the 2011 season.

Kei Nishikori will be expanding his IMG Academies coaching team with a consulting role for Brad Gilbert.

WTC Co-tournament Director Mark Woodforde said it was no suprise that Kei has hired a world class coach.

“Nishikori has had a fantastic year and 2011 is an opportunity for him to demonstrate that he can be one of the top players. Hiring Brad shows that he is serious about this opportunity next year ” Woodforde said.

“He has been as high as No.52 and in 2008 he made the round of 16 of the US Open, the youngest person since Pete Sampras.

A fierce competitor, Nishikori ended his 2010 season with one goal in mind – to make 2011 his best season of record. To help him achieve this, he has sought assistance from Gilbert, the man Andre Agassi relied on for nearly a decade, coaching him to six Grand Slam titles between 1994 and 2002. Gilbert has also coached Andy Roddick and Andy Murray. Said Gilbert, “Kei is a fierce young competitor. He knows what he wants from the game of tennis. I’m excited to expand my relationship with the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy and help consult Kei during the 2011 season.” Both Brad Gilbert and his sister Dana Gilbert were students at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in the 80s.

“I am excited about the addition of Brad to my team. Brad’s knowledge as a former top player, as well as his coaching success, is something that can help me become a better player,” added Nishikori.

Sell-out crowds are expected in 2011 with Lendl to face former rival McEnroe. Both share a record of 12 year-end world championships with the rivalry still remaining fierce between the two players.

Topics: Andre Agassi, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Brad Gilbert, Class Coach, Coaching Team, Goal In Mind, Grand Slam Titles, Img Academies, Kei Nishikori, Lendl, Pete Sampras, Rivalry, Sister Dana, Suprise, Tennis Academy, Tennis Player, Tournament Director, World Championships, Wtc