Kei Nishikori has made headlines by reaching the finals of the Hong Kong Open Tennis Tournament, marking his first final appearance since 2019. The former world number four, who is currently ranked 106, achieved this milestone after his opponent, Shang Juncheng from China, retired during the semifinals due to health issues.
The semifinals, held on December 4, 2025, saw the match briefly played before Shang decided to step down. When the score was 4–3, Shang, ranked 50, opted to retire, concluding the contest within just 20 minutes of action on the court.
After the match, Nishikori expressed his disbelief at reaching the final, stating, "I didn’t expect to reach the finals," during his on-court interview. He also acknowledged the unfortunate circumstances of Shang’s retirement, adding, "I’m sorry for Shang; I hope he recovers for the Australian Open." Nevertheless, Nishikori did not shy away from celebrating his achievement, saying, "This is definitely huge for me," after almost six years of struggle with injuries and setbacks.
Nishikori’s progress at the Hong Kong Open has been closely watched, following his return to professional tennis last year after facing injuries. Since making his comeback, Nishikori captured his first title at the HPP Open held in Helsinki, Finland, marking his return to form. He labeled the finals as "a good gift" and emphasized his motivation to excel, declaring, "My passion is still there; especially my motivation to play matches is still high." Nishikori defeated notable opponents on his way to the finals, including Canada’s Denis Shapovalov, the third-seed Russian Karen Khachanov, and England’s Cameron Norrie.
Kei Nishikori will now face Alexandre Muller from France, who is currently ranked 67, aiming for his 13th ATP Tour title. Muller progressed to the finals after outlasting Spain's Jaume Munar, winning 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4. This matchup will mark their first encounter on the professional circuit.
Reflecting on his performance through the tournament, Nishikori remarked, "Everything’s been going well; I think I’ve reduced my unforced errors significantly," referring to his recent match play. He noted this tournament's importance not only for the trophy but also for regaining confidence and ranking points after his injury-filled years, stating, "With this performance, my ranking will improve, helping me avoid qualifying matches, which is especially beneficial since I’m getting older and can’t play as many matches anymore."
The Hong Kong Open is one of the opening tournaments of the 2025 ATP season, providing promising ground for players like Nishikori eager to reclaim their standings in the sport.
This tournament exemplifies Nishikori’s resilience and determination, not only as he competes among younger talents but also grapples with the legacy he hopes to strengthen. Competing for the title against Muller could serve as the perfect opportunity to signal his return to the top tier of competitive tennis.
Fans are now eagerly anticipating the final on December 5, 2025, held at the vibrant venue of the Hong Kong Open, as Nishikori aims to capture what would be his first title since January 2019, when he triumphed at the Brisbane International, effectively ending his six-year title drought. Nishikori's ambition remains high as he prepares to battle Muller for glory, heightening the stakes for not just himself, but also his loyal supporters who have followed his career through thick and thin.
The enthusiasm surrounding Nishikori’s performance has rekindled hope among his fans and supporters, who are curious to see how far he has come since his last major title. Regardless of the outcome, this pivotal moment reiterates Nishikori’s relentless fighting spirit and passion for the game.