It is a blessing to be able to compete in Olympic tennis in your home country. The sudden outbreak of the epidemic in 2020 led to the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics, which means that the Olympic flame will be ignited for the first time in odd-numbered years, which also gives Japanese star Kei Nishikori more time to recover from injuries.
An injury to his right elbow in October 2019 caused Kei Nishikori to fall to the bottom. At the time, he said he was close to retirement, but also said that a complete cure for injuries would not be until the second half of next year. I think the second half of next year that Kei Nishikori is referring to here must be the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Yes, between retiring and competing in the homegrown Olympics, any great athlete would choose the latter. Yao Ming, who was also on the other side of the ocean in 2008, suffered an injury, which could not stop his determination to return to China to participate in the Beijing Olympics at all costs. The Olympic Games are the best stage for athletes to represent their country and embody their personal values. For more professional sports such as tennis and basketball, the Olympic gold medal will be inferior to the professional champion's trophy, but the patriotic enthusiasm of the players is not inferior to that of the athletes in other sports. That's the charm of sports, and the spirit of sportsmanship is warmer than a cold trophy.
None of Fenard's experiences in the Home Olympics have been played in the Olympics, and only Murray has experienced it among the current stars. At the 2012 London Olympics, Murray won a valuable Olympic tennis men's singles gold medal for The United Kingdom, and after losing the Wimbledon title, Murray turned grief into strength and was reborn on the Olympic stage. After winning the Olympic gold medal, he lifted the Grand Slam trophy for the first time at the US Open. It can be seen that the Olympic Games are a good opportunity for tennis players to accumulate confidence and adjust their status. This is also reflected in Kei Nishikori, who won a significant bronze medal for the Japanese delegation in a 2016 Bronze Medal Battle at the Rio Olympics, with a 2-1 victory over Nadal. At the U.S. Open held in September, Ichigo of Japan defeated Murray in five sets in the quarterfinals and advanced to the MEN's Singles semifinals of the U.S. Open for the second time in his career.
2020 is a fateful year for Kei Nishikori. Due to the combined impact of injuries and the new crown virus, Kei Nishikori only played 6 games in the whole year. After testing positive for covid-19, he was forced to withdraw from the U.S. Open. After his comeback in September, he suffered a shoulder injury at the French Open and had to end the 2020 season early. Recently, he revealed that he has returned to the right track and his shoulders have returned to a good state.
Kei Nishikori left Japan at the age of 14 and went to the United States alone. Although he competes in the Tokyo Open almost every year, he spends too little time in his hometown. What is home, it is the place we desperately wanted to escape when we were young, but it is also the place we miss the most when we are frustrated. Before Naomi Osaka, Kei Nishikori had been the only tennis role model in the hearts of Japanese fans. His influence is commercial, but more so. He gave every Japanese child who likes to play tennis hope to compete with Europeans and Americans.
His success is also due to the success of Japan's sports reform, the national sports has produced 6 million tennis population, and the 45 project has cultivated such a bright Asian star. In Rio 2016, the Japanese delegation won a total of 12 gold medals and 41 medals. As the host of the Olympic Games in 2021, Japan officially threatened to win 30 gold, and their strength in swimming, table tennis, badminton, gymnastics and other sports should not be underestimated. In terms of tennis, there are also a lot of impact, including 31-year-old Sugita Yuichi, 30-year-old Kei Nishikiori, 27-year-old Daniel Taro and 24-year-old Nishioka Yoshihito, and the women's singles Naomi Osaka is thriving.
Regarding the Olympic Games, Kei Nishikori once said in an interview: "I like the feeling that everyone lives together in the Olympic Village and will be inspired by other compatriots." Now I really can't wait, eager to duel against the world's top ten, eager to prove myself in Tokyo. "It's true that the players are eager to get back on the pitch is understandable, but don't be too hasty, as the outcome could backfire. With 8 months to go until the Tokyo Olympics, Kei Nishikori has a long way to go back, and I look forward to him bringing us surprises at the Olympic Games.
Tokyo, will he be the flag bearer of the opening ceremony of the Japanese delegation? (Source: House of Tennis Author: Lucky)