Kei Nishikori Withdraws From US Open Over Back Injury, Ends Coaching Partnership

Kei Nishikori has withdrawn from the 2025 US Open due to an unresolved back injury, despite efforts to recover and return to competition. The 2014 US Open finalist and former world No. 4 revealed that an MRI showed his back is not fully healed, ruling him out of the tournament. Nishikori also announced the end of his coaching relationship with Thomas Johansson, who had joined his team in 2024 and contributed to his comeback season. Nishikori has struggled with injuries in recent years, including a hip surgery in 2022 that sidelined him for 21 months, and has fallen to No. 88 in the ATP rankings. He returned earlier in 2025 but was forced to retire from matches and withdraw from other tournaments due to injury setbacks. Nishikori's withdrawal means he will be replaced in the US Open draw by a player from the final stages of qualifying.