Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori has issued a heartfelt public apology after reports surfaced that he had been unfaithful to his wife, citing an affair with a 32-year-old model.
In a written statement released, Nishikori took full responsibility for his actions and expressed deep regret for the pain and disappointment he caused to his wife, parents, and kids.
“I deeply apologise for causing discomfort to everyone who supports me—tennis fans, tennis associations, sponsors, and other related parties—and for their concern and inconvenience due to my dishonest behavior,” Kei Nishikori said. “In addition, I deeply regret that I made my wife, children, and each ‘parent’ feel hurt.”
For the uninitiated, the 35-year-old former World No. 4, who has long been considered Japan’s greatest male tennis player, married his longtime partner, Mai Yamauchi, a former model and public figure, in 2020. The couple welcomed their first child in 2021 and have kept their private life relatively quiet until now.
With that being said, the news of the affair has shocked fans and the broader tennis community, especially in Japan.
“From now on, in order to fulfill my life as a responsible member of society, I will solely focus on tennis competitions and produce results,” he added. “We will do our best to regain your trust.”
Nishikori has had a storied career on the ATP Tour. A finalist at the 2014 US Open, he became the first Asian male to reach a Grand Slam singles final. Known for his speed, court coverage, and clean groundstrokes, he has won 12 ATP singles titles and has been a consistent fixture in the top 10 rankings during the peak of his career.
However, in recent years, Nishikori’s career has been disrupted by injuries, including elbow and hip surgeries, which kept him out of competition for long stretches.
As Nishikori attempts to rebuild trust in his personal life, he also faces the task of re-establishing himself as a competitive force in men’s tennis, given that the up-and-coming tennis professionals are taking the sport.
With that being said, only time will tell whether his actions and renewed focus on the sport will help him regain the support of his fans and the tennis world.