“Some players follow Novak Djokovic, some Roger Federer but there can’t be…” suggests this ATP ace

“Some players follow Novak Djokovic, some Roger Federer but there can’t be…” suggests this ATP ace

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic

In a recent conversation with the Japanese Wheelchair player Shingo Kunieda, Tennis ace Kei Nishikori shared some of his strong opinions on other tennis players. Kei shared his views on the playing style of various other players including Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer.

Nishikori thinks that Djokovic plays safe and tries to avoid unforced errors while Federer plays rather aggressively. The Japanese is well versed with the game of Novak and Roger as he has played against the duo 31 times.

Roger Federer more aggressive than Djokovic: Kei Nishikori

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic

He believes that some of the upcoming players are trying to follow Novak Djokovic and his playing style, they try to play safe and accurate like him.

“Following Djokovic, these days players tend to focus on probability, try to avoid unforced errors and kind of play safe, hit cross-court shots on defense, like Medvedev, Zverev, players who can execute that surely are absolutely dominant now,” Nishikori said.

He also said that not every player wants to follow Novak, there are some other players who are trying to follow Roger Federer and his game. “At the same time players like Alcaraz or Sinner are coming, play aggressive like Federer, there can’t be perfect tennis for everybody,” Nishikori added.

Kei Nishikori’s Career at Glance

Kei Nishikori
Kei Nishikori

Kei is the second male Japanese player to have been ranked in the top 5 in singles, and the only one to do so in the Open Era. He has won 12 singles titles and was the runner-up at the 2014 US Open. He also became the first man from Asia to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals and reached the semifinals in 2014 and 2016.

He defeated Rafael Nadal at the 2016 Summer Olympics and won a Bronze medal which brought Japan its first Olympic medal in 96 years. The Japanese also hold the record for the highest win percentage in matches extending to 5 sets, with a record of 27-7 and a win percentage of 79.4%.

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