For the world’s tennis stars, birthdays at home with family and friends is nothing more than a bed-time fantasy, but for jovial Japanese fifth-seed Kei Nishikori, Brisbane has become the next best thing.
Returning to Brisbane for the third time, Nishikori rang in his 23rd birthday with two sweat-laden practice sessions and dreams of a satisfying birthday dinner on his mind.
It may not seem like the most indulgent of birthdays for a man in his early 20s, but for the world No.19, as long as he’s not on a plane, he’s happy.
“It’s always this tournament. One day I had to fly on my birthday, so it’s good I get to spend it like this,” Nishikori said after receiving a sparkler-clad cake and muffin from two Brisbane International ball kids.
“I had to practise, of course; I played two practice sessions, but I hope I will have a good dinner today.”
It’s almost impossible not to like the shot-making 23-year-old, whose slight frame always seems to come as a shock, and his loyal contingent of Japanese followers makes it seem like home is everywhere for Japan’s rising star.
Continually holding the hopes of the nation, Nishikori manages to step up for the Japanese flag, in 2012 becoming the first home-grown player to win in Tokyo—defeating towering Canadian Milos Raonic in the final—and with a career-high ranking of No.15 is the country’s highest-ranked male in the Open era.
Bursting onto the scene as an exciting teenager at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy, Nishikori has continued to exceed expectations, and one year older after another solid off-season, he is hoping to bring more success to Japan in 2013.
“I had a good off season. I had a good practice this December and I trained hard,” he said.
“It’s going to be a tough tournament, because it’s everybody’s first tournament and everybody gets nervous, but hopefully I get a good warm-up for the Australian Open.”
Perhaps it’s the home-like crowd support he receives in Australia that produces Nishikori’s outstanding results here, fighting through three consecutive five-set matches at the Australian Open in 2012 to reach his first Grand Slam quarterfinal.
With wins over Australian Matt Ebden, Julien Benneteau and an unforgettable match against Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, Nishikori had nothing left against eventual finalist Andy Murray in the quarterfinals, but the dogged youngster would welcome a rematch against the Scot at this year’s Brisbane International.
“I really like this tournament, Brisbane and the Australian Open, so I have good memories from last year. He’s [Murray] another top player playing this tournament so it’s going to be tough, but hopefully I will have a good result,” he said.
“I did have a good warm-up last year. It’s the first tournament for me so I will try to enjoy it and play well.”
With wins over top ten players Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, and Jo-Wilfred Tsonga in 2012 and winning records over second-seed Milos Raonic and fourth seed Alexandr Dolgopolov, Nishikori is undoubtedly a looming darkhorse in the 2013 Brisbane International.
But, Nishikori will have to leave his higher-ranked opponents on the horizon, facing a tough first-round matchup against Australian number one and ATP’s “Newcomer of the Year” Marinko Matosevic, who for Nishikori is an exciting season-opening prospect.
“It’s not easy to play an Aussie player, but we’ve never played each other so it’s going to be a fun match for sure. I hope I will play some good tennis,” he said.
With a doubles match scheduled to kick off his campaign today with Bulgaria’s Grigor Dimitrov, Nishikori couldn’t be tempted by the sparkling piece of chocolate cake in front of him, willing himself to instead hold off until after the tournament.
“I have to play tomorrow, so maybe not … but after the tournament, yes.”