Kei Nishikori: 'I was almost crying before facing Roger Federer'
Kei Nishikori spoke about his admiration for Roger Federer prior to the US Open. The Japanese player said: "I want Federer to continue playing forever. He has been my idol ever since I was a boy, he is the only player who I still want to be. I always play with him. At Wimbledon against Federer, I was so emotional just before the match when I was heading to the centre court after I left changing room, I was almost crying. Because I was so excited to play with him there, i felt the pressure before the match. It was the first time I felt this way. It was a strange feeling. So I want to play with him anytime."
Nishikori also recalled his 2014 US Open final loss to Marin Cilic: “I feel a lot of confidence from that memory, playing final first time in Grand Slam. But also I always think that I could play little more better in a final. I lost straight sets. I didn't do well. I hope I can come back to that stage again, playing final in Grand Slam. I hope I can play differently. That's always something I think. Always excited to play this tournament. I think I have best result of Grand Slam in US Open. I think I have a lot of confidence playing this tournament. Very excited.”
Nishikori was asked if he will play mixed doubles with Naomi Osaka in the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games: “I don't know if I can. I haven't (thought) too much yet, honestly. I don't know. I will talk to Naomi later.”
from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2zkX757
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