A rejuvenated Kei Nishikori is determined to prove he is a major contender this season, and is fully focused on a deep run on his return to the Australian Open.
The world No.9 was forced to miss the 2018 trip to Melbourne Park to continue wrist surgery rehabilitation.
After a year of rebuilding, the 29-year-old has launched back into the limelight by lifting the Brisbane title to kick-start his 2019 in style.
“Hopefully I can go further,” said an ambitious Nishikori, a three-time quarterfinalist at the Australian Open in 2012, 2015 and 2016.
“That's going to be my goal this year, to do better in the Grand Slams.
“I have to do many things. I got to keep doing the training, I have to be healthy through these two weeks. Also, the conditions change here, so I have to be ready for that. Also, I have to be really focus every match, just need to play solid every single match.”
A Wimbledon quarterfinal and US Open semifinal boosted the Japanese star’s qualification for the ATP Finals, and Nishikori then maintained his 2018 momentum to dismantle the field in Brisbane in the New Year.
He dismissed Denis Kudla, Grigor Dimitrov and Jeremy Chardy in straight sets, before navigating past Next Gen prospect Daniil Medvedev in an enthralling final.
It was Nishikori’s first title triumph since February 2016 at the Memphis Open, snapping a skid of nine final defeats.
The eighth seed, drawn in world No.1 Novak Djokovic’s quarter, hailed his Brisbane breakthrough as perfect preparation for the Australian Open fortnight.
“I think so. I usually do well there, but I never won that tournament before. This is best start of the year for me,” declared the 2014 US Open finalist.
“I’m feeling great now, so happy to play with the high-level players, to be healthy again and playing good tennis. Couldn't play last year this tournament, so happy to be back.”
Nishikori could face the towering test of Ivo Karlovic in the second round, ahead of a quarterfinal with top seed Djokovic, but he opens his Australian Open 2019 campaign against Polish qualifier Kamil Majchrzak, who usually competes on the Challenger Tour.
“I’ve seen his play. But I got to check with my coaches and everything because we have never played before,” said Nishikori, referring to the world No.176.
“I don't have many things that I know yet.”
