Nishikori hardened by American dream

PARIS: Japan’s Kei Nishikori believes his rise into the world top five would never have happened had he not forged his skills in America’s do-or-die sports environment.
Nishikori left his home and family in Shimane when he was just 14 with no English skills, just a passionate belief that he could become Japan’s most successful tennis player.
A decade later, he was the first Asian man to reach a Grand Slam final, losing to Marin Cilic in the US Open title match having knocked out Novak Djokovic on the way.
Also the highest-ranked Japanese man in the history of the sport, Nishikori says he is indebted to his life and work in Florida.
“I got really strong living in the States, because I wasn’t mentally really strong and I wasn’t really like the fighter when I was little,” said Nishikori after seeing off Brazil’s Thomas Bellucci 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 to make the third round of the French Open on Wednesday.
“When I moved to US, you have to be stronger somehow, and a lot of kids from different countries and sometimes you have to play with big guys, especially I was small when I was little.
“When you have to play a lot of tournaments and you get more experience and you get more confidence playing a lot of matches, and also you get mentally strong.”