Cool Kei Nishikori interview

[Gonzalito17]

Really like Kei Nishikori as a player and this interview captures his essence, very smart very good player, sort of a mini Djokovic, good mover, smart, unloads the forehand, plays with some flair, keeps getting better each year. Might be a tad on the small side, but I see Kei as top 5. Anyway, great QA with Kei, who once hit with Seles, Fed when he was a teen, and some funny memories and insights about his fame in Japan...

http://thebiofile.com/2012/11/kei-nishikori-biofile/

[Gonzalito17]

Trying to cut and paste the full interview but for some reason I can't copy it. Sorry.

[Gonzalito17]

Here we go, finally got it...

The Biofile Kei Nishikori

Status: ATP #19. Winner of two ATP singles titles including 2012 Rakuten Japen Open - the first Japanese player in history to win the historic event.

Ht: 5-10 Wt: 155

DOB: December 29, 1989 In: Shimane, Japan

Tennis Inspirations: "Roger Federer. (Why?) He was #1 and I had chance to hit with him in 2007. He's so nice and he's so talented."

Nicknames: "They just call me Kei."

Hobbies/Interests: "I love music and soccer."

Last Book Read: "It's Japanese, it's called Smile."

First Tennis Memory: "I used to practice with my family, my sister (Reina) and my dad (Kiyoshi), just for fun. I was winning all the Japanese junior tournaments. (All?) Almost all yeah."

Pre-Match Feeling: "Just talk to my coach about opponent, what he's like. I just listen to music also."

Greatest Sports Moment: "When I won the Japan Open. Amazing feeling to win in Tokyo. Very very happy happy."

Most Painful Moment: "When I have injury."

Favorite Tournament: "I like French Open. I won doubles in juniors. I like clay courts."

Favorite Meal: "I like spaghetti. I can eat every day."

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: "Strawberry."

Funny Tennis Memory: "One time I was hitting serve in practice. And my coach was looking at the other court, talking to the friends. And I hit his nuts [smiles]."

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: "I lost to Tursunov. Easy and he was toying with me. I couldn't do anything. (What was he doing?) He wasn't even trying but he hits ace and just I couldn't do anything."

Toughest Competitors: "I hate to play the guys that don't miss."

Closest Tennis Friends: "I don't know, so many guys at the Academy (IMG), there's like ten good guys."

Strangest Match: "It's in Indianapolis. I was sick first round, I was gonna retire. But - I don't know what happened. I was so sick I couldn't breathe. I won the match (vs. Falla). It was two days in a row I was sick."

First Famous Tennis Player You Met Or Encountered: "Monica Seles. I got to hit with her when she was in Japan for a tournament."

Best You Ever Felt On Court: "I think at U.S. Open round of 16 against David Ferrer (200. I won the first two sets and the fourth set was back and forth. We didn't know who was going to win."

On Popularity In Japan: "Here in U.S. I can walk around and nobody knows who I am. It's different in Japan. I have to wear a hat and glasses. If I stayed there all the time I might go crazy."