'Model wife, but the affair partner...' Asia's strongest legend explodes with tournament-class performance just before retirement: "I'm so happy and it's fun"

*This content was translated by AI.

His skill is undeniable. Despite causing a major shock to his home fans due to an affair scandal, Kei Nishikori (36), the legend of Japanese tennis who will leave the court at the end of this season, reached the final round of qualifying for the US Open, his last major tournament as an active player, and is now on the verge of advancing to the main draw.

Ranked fourth in men's tennis worldwide, Nishikori defeated 16-year-old American rookie M. Antonius (ranked 670th) with a set score of 2-0 (6-4, 6-4) in the second round of the men's singles qualifying at the 2026 US Open held in New York, USA, on the 27th (Korean time), advancing to the final round of qualifying.

Nishikori, who entered this tournament via a wildcard (organizer's recommendation), secured a decisive victory in just 1 hour and 16 minutes. After defeating 16th-seeded Sebastian Ofner (Austria) in the first round, Nishikori has now won two consecutive matches. One more win will see him step onto the main draw stage.

This marks Nishikori's first appearance at the US Open since 2021, five years later. His participation in qualifying is his first in 16 years and only his third overall. Having previously appeared in the main draw of the US Open 11 times and achieving Asia's men's tennis record with a runner-up finish in 2014, this tournament represents Nishikori's final Grand Slam stage as an active player.

According to Japanese media outlet 'Tennis365', during the post-match press conference, Nishikori said, "My opponent had a style that was easy to play against. My condition was also good, and my shots landed well." He added, "During the match, I took some risks—perhaps even getting scolded by my coach for 1-2 points—and tried plays I truly wanted to execute. It was genuinely enjoyable. As my condition improved, I gained more composure."

In the final round of qualifying, Nishikori will face a fateful showdown with Japan's 20-year-old rising star Reo Sakamoto (ranked 157th) for a main draw ticket. Sakamoto advanced after defeating France's Müller (16th seed) in the second round of qualifying.

Regarding the clash between the legend and the next-generation ace of Japanese tennis, Nishikori stated, "Honestly, I feel more joy than anything else. Of course, avoiding such a matchup would have been ideal, and there are certainly pressures involved. I also hope Sakamoto makes it to the main draw; he is a respected junior player who will only grow stronger in the future."

He continued, "I truly hope he becomes even stronger and achieves great results. Having the opportunity to compete against such a player on my final major stage is something I welcome. Regardless of the outcome, since he is a junior player I deeply respect, facing him feels far better than competing against other Japanese players."

Nishikori, who claimed his first ATP Tour title at just 18 years old—faster than Rafael Nadal—and rose to world No. 4 during his prime, has suffered from a series of injuries since hip surgery in 2022, including issues with his ankle, knee, back, and shoulder. In April, he lost to a 17-year-old rookie in the second round of the Savannah Challenger, causing his world ranking to plummet to 558th. Unable to overcome his battered physical condition, Nishikori officially announced his retirement at the end of the 2026 season, concluding his 20-year professional career in May.

His personal life scandals, which stirred public opinion as much as his on-court achievements, have once again come under scrutiny. In June last year, Japanese media outlet 'Weekly Bunshun' revealed that Nishikori had maintained an affair with a former model for two and a half years, causing major shock. Since he had married model Akiko Mizuki in 2020 and has two children, the criticism was even more intense. At the time, Nishikori issued a handwritten apology, stating, "I deeply apologize to my fans, sponsors, and all concerned parties for my inappropriate behavior. As a responsible member of society, I will strive to regain trust through tennis."

At the time of his retirement announcement, Nishikori expressed sincere gratitude to his family who have always supported him from beside him. Now, with the backing of his wife and family, he is overcoming personal controversies and burning brightly in his final days as a player. Attention now turns to whether he can achieve a graceful conclusion beyond his match against junior Sakamoto.

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*This content was translated by AI.