AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 12, 2025

Kei Nishikori

Press Conference

K. NISHIKORI/T. Monteiro

4-6, 6-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Kei, congrats. We know you are very good at five-setters, winning seven out of eight before today in Melbourne. Especially today, how did you manage to come back from Love-2 down?

KEI NISHIKORI: I don't know. I think he was playing better today, especially first, second, even third set. Somehow I got the third set. I start playing better fourth and fifth. I think my return was better, aggressive, and he was not make many first serve in the end, so I had more chance on my return game.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. On the subject of five-set matches, your record is incredible, what you've done over the years. When you find yourself in these positions, when either you're two sets to love down or two sets to one down, what is in your mind and how helpful is the record that you've established over the years?

KEI NISHIKORI: Well, I'm not thinking much 'cause I just try to focus what I have to do next point or next game. Not thinking too much during that time.

I try to think again before the final set starts, like after one set all or two set all I start think again what is being work or what he's doing better. I try to think a lot.

I think my focus level, it's always high, especially in last set. Also, is kind of big for me to stay tough until the end.

But other side is, like, I think people winning in two sets but I'm not. I'm always going fifth set. That's something I have to work on it. It's not good habit to have (smiling). I got to do something better.

Yeah, somehow I keep winning in last sets, deciding set.

Q. Obviously with this incredible five-set record, what do you eat before matches, and how do you fuel during them to keep your energy levels up?

KEI NISHIKORI: I eat a lot of sushi (laughter). No.

Well, I try to eat healthy. Just chicken and maybe rice if they have. Sometimes pasta if they don't have. But nothing fancy. Maybe try not to eat something heavy.

Q. What about during? How do you keep fueling?

KEI NISHIKORI: I have this special jelly from Japan. I don't like to eat something like banana or something like a bar because it feels like it's heavy. It's always something in the mouth. I don't feel comfortable.

This jelly is always easy to take. I don't feel hungry during the match. I just try to eat a lot after the match.

Q. But in Japan you can just buy it at shops, or is it something you have made special?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, it's my sponsor. It's called Weider, yeah.

Q. On the five-set record, was there a moment or a point in your career where you realized it was a real strength of yours?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, because everybody is telling me (smiling). Even after the match, everybody, couple players, was joking to me, Another five sets.

I mean, it's good to have that record because I always have good confidence, and player knows that I have good records. It's good pressure for them if I have that.

But maybe, like, six, seven years ago start realizing that.

Q. I followed the number of injuries you've had over the years, over the last few years. It seems as though every time you're trying to make a comeback and get some momentum, you've been injured.

KEI NISHIKORI: Yes.

Q. Have you ever come close to thinking, I can't keep doing this; I need to stop?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah, almost. Almost last year because I had my knee and shoulder two years ago, and I almost came back. I got injured again. It was like up and downs.

I was thinking, like, if I have maybe another surgery, then I think mentally I don't able to fight anymore. It was, like, two in a row. I had a year I couldn't play and another half year I couldn't play because of injury I got, so... That was toughest time I think, end of 2023 maybe.

Q. What kept you going?

KEI NISHIKORI: Well, I just still love to play tennis. I love to compete. I wanted to play with big stadium like today. That was my goal a year ago when I was doing rehab. I still think that I still have chance to play with these top players. I'm feeling that end of last year.

I get more confidence. This last week also help me to believe myself. So I still really enjoying this moment, this practice, training. Training not so much, but I still do (smiling). I really enjoying playing the match.