"This is easily the biggest news in the history of Japanese tennis," said Jun Kamiwazumi, a former member of Japan's Davis Cup team who reached the third round at the 1973 U.S. Open. "This will have a huge impact on the sport here, and I expect many young children will be inspired to emulate him." Others such as Bollettieri and Djokovic echoed that opinion.
"This is definitely huge for Japan. It's a big country, over 100 million people. This can definitely be a great encouragement for tennis in that country," said Djokovic, who is from Serbia. "He's been around for the last couple of years. He's been making a lot of success. But playing finals of a Grand Slam and now fighting for a title is definitely something different."
It also will make Nishikori even more money than the $10 million in endorsements he reportedly already earns from sponsors such as clothing company Uniqlo, food company Nissin, and sports equipment company Wilson.
Nishikori, the first man from Japan to be ranked in the ATP's top 10, has existing contracts that include escalator clauses providing extra money for certain accomplishments, such as reaching a Grand Slam final.
It adds up to a far bigger take than his on-court prize money, which was less than $2 million this season entering the U.S. Open. But what matters more to the 24-year-old Nishikori, by the sound of it, is the impact he can have in his native country.
"I hope more kids start playing tennis," he said. "U.S. has a lot of respect for the sports, but not as much in Japan. I hope I can make a little bit difference."
Given the attention Nishikori is getting, a championship in New York would seem to be certain to reverberate in Tokyo.
"He's a hero there. He's been a hero there for a while. Ever since he hit the top 20, it's been crazy. But we're getting to another level now," said Van Lindonk, the agent. "You become very popular when you win."
