Tearful Kei Nishikori Retires After Japan Open Loss to Frances Tiafoe

Kei Nishikori's career came to a close on Thursday in front of a home crowd in Tokyo, with Frances Tiafoe winning their Japan Open first-round match 6-4, 6-4.

Nishikori, 36, once ranked fourth in the world, entered on a wild card and drew the American second seed, currently No. 8 in the rankings.

'I kept fighting'

"Playing in Japan is always a special moment," an emotional Nishikori told the home crowd, according to BBC Sport. "I wish I could have put in a slightly more convincing performance. But I'm happy I kept fighting right to the end."

He then circled the main court — the scene of his 2012 and 2014 titles — on a lap of honour, while the stadium screened tributes from Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Michael Chang.

"Your resilience and fighting spirit, to always come back after a lot of adversity, is really commendable and admirable," Djokovic said in the video.

Earlier in the week, Nishikori said he had mixed feelings about his final elite-level event on home soil. "I am excited to play in Japan, but I also know this is my last moment," he said, ESPN reported. "So it's kind of sad."

Trailblazer for Japan

His run to the 2014 U.S. Open final, which included a win over then top-ranked Djokovic before defeat by Marin Cilic, made him the first Japanese man to contest a major singles final. Two years later he beat Rafael Nadal to take bronze at the Rio Olympics.

BBC Sport noted he also became Japan's first male top-10 player, collecting 12 ATP singles titles and 40 wins against top-10 opponents.

Injuries took a toll

Physical problems dogged him across 19 seasons on tour. A right shoulder injury kept him out of January's Australian Open, and in May he said this year would be his last, ESPN reported.

Sources: BBC Sport; ESPN