Roger Federer said he saw "the next super talent" in a 16-year-old Kei Nishikori the first time they practiced together, sharing the memory with thousands of fans at the Japanese player's farewell event in Tokyo on October 11, 2026.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion joined Nishikori, who played the final match of his professional career at the Japan Open earlier this month, at Ariake Coliseum for "Uniqlo LifeWear Day Tokyo 2026 with Kei Nishikori." Hosted by Uniqlo, the event brought together the brand's global ambassadors, including Japanese wheelchair tennis great Shingo Kunieda and British wheelchair player Gordon Reid.
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A Miami Practice Session Left A Lasting Mark On Federer
During a talk session after the opening ceremony, the conversation turned to the time a teenage Nishikori was brought in as Federer's practice partner in Miami.
Nishikori said the session gave him his first real feel for the shots of the best player in the world. "I got to experience firsthand the ball hit by the world's best, and just watching him practice was a huge inspiration," he said.
Federer said that hit had stayed with him. "I don't remember all my practice sessions in my career, but the particular practice [with Kei at 16] I do remember vividly, because I was struck by his incredible ball striking and his energy," he said. "I also believed Kei was the next super talent."
Nishikori Admits Facing His Idol Was A Mental Battle
Nishikori, in turn, said he had been struck by how relaxed Federer looked in practice and by the sharpness of his feel for the ball.
He then admitted that his admiration had once worked against him. "He was my favorite player and my idol, so the first time I played him, I liked him so much that it was hard to get myself into the mindset of going out to win," Nishikori said, drawing laughter from the crowd.
He also looked back on his breakthrough title at the 2008 Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, which he won at 18. The victory, he said, surprised him with how far he had already come and gave him the confidence to compete against the world's best.
Tennis Still Feels Like A Hobby, Nishikori Says
Asked how he felt when he turned professional, Nishikori said he began to think seriously about a pro career around the age of 12, when he won a national title in Japan.
"It is a job, but I always had the feeling of enjoying playing on the tennis court and enjoying winning and losing matches," he said. "Even now, it feels like an extension of a hobby."
His message for junior players followed the same theme. While acknowledging the responsibility that comes with the support young players receive, he said: "It's important to keep the feeling of enjoying tennis on the court."
Kunieda Praises A Champion Who Never Lost His Humility
Kunieda, who retired in 2023 as one of the most decorated players in wheelchair tennis history, said Nishikori's character set him apart as much as his tennis.
"Nishikori is special not only on the tennis court but as a person," Kunieda said. "Even though he won titles at a young age, he was never arrogant at all. He has always been humble and full of humor. I'm a huge fan of his, both as a tennis player and as a human being."
The tributes from his fellow ambassadors kept the arena in a warm, celebratory mood throughout the session.
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