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*bunny* · 03-25-2009, 06:35 PM

Kei received the ATP Newcomer of the Year Award!

http://www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/1...008winners.asp

Newcomer of the Year

Kei Nishikori (No. 281 to No. 63): The Japanese teenager won his first ATP World Tour title and moved up 200 South African Airways Rankings spots to finish as the youngest player in the year-end Top 100. He became the first Japanese player to finish in the Top 100 since Matsuoka in 1995 (No. 57). Nishikori qualified into his sixth career ATP World Tour event in Delray Beach and defeated four straight Americans – Delic, Reynolds, Querrey (saved 4 M.P) and No. 12 Blake – to become the youngest ATP World Tour title winner at 18 years and 1 month of age since Lleyton Hewitt won in 1998 at Adelaide. Afterwards, he jumped from No. 244 to No. 131. He continued his rise up the rankings following the US Open, moving up 45 spots to No. 81 after reaching the fourth round. He posted his first win over a Top 10 player by defeating No. 4 Ferrer in the third round. He finished the season with a third round showing in Tokyo and semi-final at Stockholm.

Congrats, Kei!!

kinokino · 03-25-2009, 10:17 PM

Congrats, Kei!

hcfoo · 03-26-2009, 12:50 AM

Congrats to Kei too!!!

kinokino · 03-27-2009, 08:49 AM

There is Kei's comment for the ATP "Newcomer of the Year" award in the Nick's blog.
http://nickstennispicks.com/2009/03/...r-of-the-year/

kinokino · 03-28-2009, 12:13 AM

Kei's website is updated! We can send him a message or a comment.

http://keinishikori.com/

*bunny* · 03-28-2009, 01:48 PM

Thanx for that, Kinokino!

Rafkei · 04-13-2009, 03:14 AM

Hi!

It's been a while, any news about Kei?

When is he coming back?

*bunny* · 04-14-2009, 10:16 AM

Hi Rafkei!

According to Kei's official site and Nick Bolletieri's blog, Kei is still going rehab and doing physical work out. He and his team are hoping he will　be able to play one tournament before RG.
At the moment, he's #1 on the alternate list for Belgrade, which starts on May 3. Maybe the more realistic choice is Kitzbuhel, which is a week before RG, although he will have to play qualies (unless he received WC).

Hope his rehab is going well and he can come back 100%!

Rafkei · 04-19-2009, 11:47 PM

I see, thanks for the updates Bunny!

About RG, will he be able to qualify for the main draw or he'll have to go through the qualifying?

Hoping the best for Kei!

myamya · 04-20-2009, 12:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rafkei

I see, thanks for the updates Bunny!

About RG, will he be able to qualify for the main draw or he'll have to go through the qualifying?

Hoping the best for Kei!

He's listed in main draw of RG entry list thread here on MTF under upcoming tournament section. He'll most probably have to be qualified for Wimbledon, though.

kinokino · 04-20-2009, 02:44 AM

Thank you myamya for the info!

Kei's blog is updated!
http://blog.keinishikori.com/en/

According to his blog, he works hard at training and rehab everyday.
I hope he can make it to the RG.

nemanjam · 04-22-2009, 10:40 AM

Kei will play in Belgrade

*bunny* · 04-27-2009, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nemanjam

Kei will play in Belgrade

Hi namanjam, thanx for the news!

According to his blog as of April 19, however, he hadn't started holding racket yet, so I think it's still possible he may withdraw in the last minute...
I hope it won't happen, but I also hope he won't push himself too hard too soon because I hear elbow injuries tend to take several months to heal.

His ranking has plummeted to #118 this week because the points from the Bermuda challenger last year has fallen off computer. He needs to be inside #104 by May 11 to get MD into Wimbledon.

But if not, so be it. His health is more important...!

Rafkei · 04-28-2009, 06:35 AM

Nice updates guys!

Is it possible for him to reach ranking 104 come May 11 when he is not playing right now?

Anyway, if in case he won't qualify for the Wimby MD, he can still get in through the qualifying.

Goodluck Kei! Hope will see you in Belgrade! If not, its ok, we wait till you get your health back to 100%

*bunny* · 04-29-2009, 03:03 AM

Kei has withdrawn from Serbia Open.

According to Nick Bollettieri's blog, Kei started practicing with racket for the first time in five weeks this week. There are some pictures of him practicing too:
http://nickstennispicks.com/
There's also a video clip of him practicing on Kei's official site.

But wasn't he allowed to practice for at least six weeks?

I'm a little bit dubious about the physical staff at the Bollettieri's seeing what's going on with Sharapova. Elbow injuries take a long time to heal, it can take several months. Hope Kei is really OK.