'As much as two and a half years' model affair admitted by 'the strongest in history' tennis star, declares retirement → Mentions wife: "She always stood by my side..."

*This content was translated by AI.

Japan's greatest tennis star is hanging up his racket after a tumultuous 20-year professional career. Kei Nishikori (36), whose extramarital affair scandal sent shockwaves through Japan, has announced his retirement after just one year.

Japanese media outlet 'Post Seven' reported on the 9th that "Nishikori, unable to withstand his plummeting world ranking to 558th and his battered physical condition, made a final decision," adding that "he has declared his retirement from active play at the end of the 2026 season."

According to the report, Nishikori officially formalized his intention to retire via his personal social networking service (SNS) on the 1st. Nishikori is a tennis legend who won his first ATP men's singles title faster than Rafah El Nadal at the age of 18 and rose to a world ranking of No. 4 during his prime.

What plagued Nishikori were incessant injuries. 'Post Seven' stated that "Nishikori has suffered from injuries to his ankles, knees, lower back, and shoulders since undergoing hip surgery in 2022," and added that "his defeat to a 17-year-old rookie in the second round of the Savannah Challenger in April, which caused his ranking to plummet to 558th, was the decisive factor."

Controversies surrounding his private life, which stirred as much public discussion as his skills, have also been brought back into focus. In June last year, Nishikori bowed his head after it was revealed by 'Weekly Bunshun' that he had maintained an extramarital affair with a former model for two and a half years. The shock was even greater as this occurred while he was married to his wife, model Akiko Mizuki, since 2020 and had two children.

At that time, Nishikori issued a handwritten apology, saying, "I deeply apologize to fans, sponsors, and all concerned parties for my inappropriate behavior," and pledged, "As a responsible member of society, I will strive to regain trust through tennis."

A year after the extramarital affair report, Nishikori mentioned his family first in his retirement remarks. He said, "I sincerely thank my family who have always supported me." A local tennis official told 'Post Seven' that "the gratitude expressed toward his wife in his retirement remarks likely signifies that he overcame the extramarital affair scandal with the strength of his family."

However, Japanese fans locally are reacting sharply to reports that brought up the affair issue again at the time of his retirement. Netizens on 'Yahoo Japan' defended the player, stating, "What is the point of writing another affair article about a legendary player who has announced his retirement?" and "It is remarkable that a Japanese player has performed this well in men's tennis." On the other hand, some cast cold glances, saying, "If you met the woman before marriage, shouldn't you have married her?" and "It seems your heart had already left during the affair scandal."

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*This content was translated by AI.