Nishikori Becomes First Japanese Player to Reach Top 10
Kei Nishikori, one of the fastest-rising stars in the tennis world, cracked into the top 10 after beating Feliciano Lopez in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open a few weeks ago.
He then parlayed that into a semifinal victory over David Ferrer, and a chance to play Rafael Nadal in the tournament’s final.
“It was a big goal for me to get Top 10, but it’s just only one week for now,” Nishikori told the ATP website last week. “So I have to keep playing better tennis and keep this ranking. My goal is not to get one time into the Top 10. Hopefully I can keep this ranking.”
Unfortunately for Nishikori, he was forced to withdraw from the final against Nadal in Madrid due to a hip injury. Despite that, he was able to move up two spots due to his victories and currently finds himself at number 10 in the world rankings.
The 24-year old won the Barcelona Open back in late April to notch his fifth career title and really make his presence felt on the tour this year. He is the first Asian player to rank in the top 10 since Thailand’s Paradorn Srichapahan back in March of 2004.
Nishikori is only one of a handful of Asian players that are breaking into the tennis world. While he becomes the first Japanese player to reach the Top 10, Chinese star Li Na has sustained herself in the top half of the women’s rankings.
The Australian Open champion is currently second in the world rankings behind Serena Williams, and has been a staple at the top of the women’s rankings for the last couple of seasons. The 32-year old Li is also number one in the Road to Singapore rankings, the season-long campaign that finishes with the WTA Championships at the end of the year in Singapore.
Both players are now preparing for their respective upcoming French Open tournaments, the next Grand Slam of the season. Nishikori hopes to use the clay-court success he has had this year to make a run at the title in Roland Garros and continue to climb up the world rankings.
