TOKYO: Japan’s Kei Nishikori has mapped out a three-year plan to challenge for grand slam glory after blazing his way to a second career title.
The 22-year-old said that overcoming suffocating pressure to win the Japan Open had given him the belief he can break into the top 10 and walk with the game’s giants.
“I think winning a grand slam is possible,” the swashbuckling Nishikori said in an interview after beating Milos Raonic in Sunday’s Tokyo final.
“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,” added Nishikori, set to rise from 17th to 15th in the world rankings after becoming the host country’s first Japan Open champion.
“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 storming run through a quality field headed by last year’s winner and U.S. Open champion Andy Murray showed the Japanese he had the game to compete at the highest level.
“Winning a tour title was this year’s objective,” said Nishikori, who burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old by winning in Delray Beach as a 244th-ranked qualifier in 2008. “From now I’ll be aiming to win a Masters event. I reached a semi-final last year (in Shanghai). (Reuters)