Kei Nishikori Discusses Hiring Michael Chang As His New Coach

Earlier this week in Brisbane Kei Nishkori addressed the media speaking about what the process was in hiring former World No. 2 and American great Michael Chang.

“We played exhibition two years ago in Japan,” Nishikori said. “That’s first meeting of us. That time I didn’t think he is going to coach me, but end of this year I was start thinking to finding someone advise me more about something I need to get top 10. That was my goal this year and I couldn’t do it.

“I finally find time. I was practicing with him in California two weeks in December. Yeah, it’s been great. He’s so detail and he tells me a lot of things that I feel improving a lot. Yeah, I think it’s good matchup.”

Chang, now 41, made his big splash in 1989 when he won the French Open as a 17-year-old, and was before Nishikori was even born!

“I haven’t seen his play live,” Nishikori admitted. “Like I seen his play, but not on live. So I would see more like Roger and Andre and Pete. But, yeah, he’s not the tall guy; same as me. I mean, he’s American but he’s half Asian. do think we can know more stuff. Yeah, I think we doing great.”

Nishikori finished 2013 ranked No. 17 after standing on the cusp of the Top 10 at No. 11 in July. Nishikori, who’s battled a assortment of injuries already in his career, had some nice wins at the end of 2013 earning wins over Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Grigor Dimitrov, Jurgen Melzer and Julien Benneteau. And after a restful off season the newly-turned 24-year-old says he’s feeling in good health.

“I had a month, almost a month off, three weeks off in Japan, and I was in Hawaii for a little bit,” he said. “I practice with Michael two weeks, and I had almost a month good practice and good preparation for this week.”

In his season debut, the second-seeded Nishikori faces Matt Ebden today in Brisbane.