Tennis

Kei Nishikori to Skip the US Open Due to a Back Injury

Stating that his back isn't "100% healed yet," Kei Nishikori decided to withdraw from the US Open only days before the first round begins in New York.

by
Ed Odeven
August 22, 2025

Kei Nishikori withdrew from the US Open several days before the start of the final Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2025.

The 2014 US Open men's singles finalist announced on Wednesday, August 20 that he's skipping the tournament, citing his back injury.

"Hi fans, unfortunately I will not be ready for the US Open yet," Nishikori wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "I had an MRI taken of my back and it's not 100% healed yet. Working hard to be back on court soon. Thanks for the support."

In May, Nishikori also withdrew from the French Open before his scheduled first-round match against Carlos Alcaraz, the 2024 tournament champion, due to lower back pain.

While coping with the effects of the injury, Nishikori, 35, has had limited participation on the ATP Tour this year. He has a 10-10 win-loss record.

Most recently, Nishikori lost in straight sets (7-5, 6-3) to Argentina's Camilo Ugo Carabelli in the first round of the Cincinnati Open on August 8.

Nishikori, a winner of 12 career tournaments on the ATP Tour, is 88th in the latest world rankings.

Kei Nishikori and Coach Part Ways

In other news this week, Kei Nishikori and coach Thomas Johansson have ended their partnership.

Johansson began working with the Shimane Prefecture native in 2024.

Both men made announcements on social media reporting that they have parted ways.

"Just wanted to let you know that Kei and I have decided to go separate ways," Johansson wrote on Instagram. "It's been a pleasure to work with such a professional team and with such a nice and talented player like Kei. I want to wish Kei and his team [the] best of luck for the future."

The Swedish coach captured the 2002 Australian Open title.

Nishikori posted the following message on X: "Hi fans, just wanted to update you on my coaching situation. @tompatennis and I have decided to go our separate ways. I want to thank Thomas not only for his great tennis knowledge, but also being a great person and team member. [And] I will keep you posted if other changes happen on my team. Thanks for the support."

Osaka to Face Unseeded Belgian in US Open 1st Round

In other tennis news, it was announced that world No 25 Naomi Osaka will play unseeded Belgian Greet Minnen in the US Open women's singles first round on Sunday.

A two-time US Open champion (2018, 2020), Osaka is seeded 23rd for this year's tournament.

In her most recent competition, Osaka made a spirited run to the National Bank Open final in Montreal. She lost the title match to Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko on August 7.

Osaka and Minnen faced one another for the first time at the Madrid Open in April 2024. In the clay-court encounter, Osaka triumphed 6-4, 6-1 in the first round.

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.