Kei Nishikori Biography: Age, Wife, Net Worth, Career, Height, Parents, Olympic Medal

Kei Nishikori is an accomplished Japanese professional tennis player celebrated for his groundbreaking achievements in the sport.

As the first Japanese man to reach a Grand Slam singles final and achieve a top-five ATP ranking, he has inspired a new generation of players and elevated tennis in Asia with his dynamic baseline play and resilience.

Profile

• Full Name: Kei Nishikori
• Stage Name: Kei Nishikori
• Born: December 29, 1989
• Age: 35 years old
• Birthplace: Matsue, Shimane, Japan
• Nationality: Japanese
• Occupation: Japanese Professional Tennis Player
• Height: 5 feet 10
• Parents: Kiyoshi Nishikori, Eri Nishikori
• Siblings: 1, Reina Nishikori (older sister)
• Spouse: Mai Yamauchi
• Children: One child
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $24 to $30 million

Early Life and Education

Kei Nishikori was born on December 29, 1989, in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, to Kiyoshi Nishikori, an engineer, and Eri Nishikori, a piano teacher. Raised alongside his older sister, Reina, in a supportive household, Kei began playing tennis at age five, showing early promise by winning the All Japan Tennis Championships for Kids in 2001.

At 13, he was selected as part of the “Morita Tennis Fund,” sponsored by former Sony CEO Masaaki Morita, to train at the IMG Academy in Florida. Despite not speaking English initially, he adapted to the competitive environment at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy.

Kei attended Kaisei Junior High School and Aomori-Yamada High School in Japan before focusing on his tennis career, forgoing further formal education to pursue professional training in the U.S.

Career

Kei Nishikori turned professional in 2007 at age 18, quickly making his mark by winning the Delray Beach Open in 2008 as a qualifier ranked No. 244, becoming the first Japanese man to claim an ATP title in 16 years. His career peaked in 2014 when he reached the US Open final, defeating No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals to become the first Asian man to contest a Grand Slam singles final, though he lost to Marin Cilic.

Nishikori achieved a career-high ATP ranking of No. 4 in March 2015, the highest for a Japanese man in the Open Era. He has secured 12 ATP singles titles, including six ATP 500 events like the Barcelona Open (2014, 2015) and Japan Open (2012, 2014).

Notable victories include defeating Rafael Nadal for the bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Japan’s first tennis medal in 96 years. Coached by Michael Chang since 2014, Nishikori is known for his aggressive baseline play, quick footwork, and strong forehand.

Despite setbacks from injuries, including hip surgery in 2022, he returned to competition in 2023, reaching the Atlanta Open quarterfinals and the 2025 Hong Kong Open final, showcasing his enduring determination.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @keinishikori
• Facebook Handle: Kei Nishikori
• Twitter Handle: @keinishikori

Personal Life

Kei Nishikori resides primarily in Florida, where he trains at the IMG Academy. He married Mai Yamauchi, a former model, in December 2020, with a larger ceremony held in 2022 post-pandemic. The couple welcomed their first child in 2021, though details about the child remain private.

Kei has spoken about the challenges of parenthood, expressing gratitude for his parents’ support after becoming a father himself. Previously, he dated Honami Tsuboi, a former gymnast, from 2016 to 2019.

Raised in a Buddhist household, Kei enjoys soccer, golf, reading, and music in his downtime, often sharing updates about his training and family on social media. His approachable demeanor and dedication to his craft have made him a beloved figure in Japan and beyond.

Net Worth

Kei Nishikori has an estimated net worth of $24 to 30 million. His wealth is derived from over $25.6 million in ATP prize money, with significant earnings from endorsements with brands like Uniqlo, Japan Airlines, Nike, Wilson, Nissin Foods, Jaguar, and Tag Heuer.