Kei Nishikori (Photo by David Iliff, CC)
By Associated Press
LONDON (AP) – Japan’s Kei Nishikori said he was “almost 100 percent perfect” health-wise heading into Wimbledon.
The 10th-seeded Nishikori has been hampered by a hip problem that he says contributed to a first-round loss at the French Open.
But the first Japanese man to be ranked in the top 10 says his run to the semifinals on grass at Halle, Germany, last week showed he is fit.
Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam tournament where Nishikori has not made it to at least the fourth round. He lost in the third round each of the last two years at the All England Club, and in the first round in his other three appearances.
“Actually never did well on grass court yet,” said Nishikori, “so hopefully I can do better this year.”
Nishikori beat Kenny de Schepper and was scheduled to play Denis Kudla on June 26. (end)