After winning the Japan Open for the first time. 22-year-old Kei Nishikori has set his sights on much bigger goals. The 22-year-old is now ranked No. 15 but believes that by winning at home he has improved his confidence level overall.
“I think winning a Grand Slam is possible,” Nishikori told Reuters.
“This week I probably played the best tennis of my life. Breaking into the top 10 is the goal now. To win a (ATP) 500 title in Japan has special meaning. Until now I had never been able to play well in Japan .
“There was so much pressure. I thought I lacked mental toughness. Being able to break through that barrier playing my best tennis was amazing. I still can’t believe it.”
Nishikori’s title run was his first since 2008 in Delray Beach and he also believes that a Masters Series crown is the making. He reached the semis of Shanghai last year, where he is playing this week.
“From now I’ll be aiming to win a Masters event, he said. “I want to beat the top four players in the world. That’s still a big wall for me but that’s my goal.” I’m still a little bit off winning a grand slam.
In the next two or three years I have to strengthen my body to be able to withstand seven five-set matches.”
©Daily Tennis News Wire
Topics: Atp, Japan Open, Japanese tennis news, Kei Nishikori, men tennis, Sports, Tennis News