NEW YORK : Kei Nishikori's journey to the U.S. Open final began a decade ago, when he was spotted as a teen at a tryout in Japan and invited to move to Florida to attend a tennis academy.
Nishikori was among the first beneficiaries of a project to improve Japanese tennis funded by former Sony executive Masaaki Morita. "Kei was just 14, and he didn't speak a word of English," said Nick Bollettieri, a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame who coached players such as Andre Agassi, Boris Becker, Jim Courier and Monica Seles. "He was gifted. Great speed. Great eyes."
As Nishikori worked his way up the world rankings after turning professional in 2007, he became so well-known back home that it seemed less distracting to stay in Florida. On the rare occasions he plays in Japan, tournaments sell out within hours.
It was the lead story on Sunday morning TV news programs, and the mass circulation Asahi Shimbun issued a special online edition touting Nishikori's success.
