Tennis essentials, 1 October: Nishikori retires, the Laver Cup takes its toll, Sinner awaits Shanghai

Kei Nishikori played the last match of his career in Tokyo, and the Laver Cup left visible marks on the first round in Beijing and Tokyo. Jannik Sinner is waiting for the green light for Shanghai, and Emma Navarro has called time on her season.

Nishikori bows out in Tokyo, in tears

Beaten by Frances Tiafoe in the first round of the Japan Open (6-4, 6-4), Kei Nishikori played the final match of a farewell announced days in advance. The former world No 4 and 2014 US Open finalist could not hold back his tears: “I kept fighting right to the end,” he told the BBC. Rafael Nadal praised an example given to “so many people”, after Novak Djokovic.

The Laver Cup takes its toll in Beijing and Tokyo

Of the fourteen Laver Cup players in action in the first round of the ATP 500 events in Beijing and Tokyo, nine lost their opening match, L’Équipe counts. Only Alcaraz, Zverev, De Minaur, Mensik and Cerundolo won. Flavio Cobolli, beaten by Roman Safiullin (6-3, 6-2 in 1hr 25), did not hide: “I have nothing to explain today. This is not my level.”

Decision due on Thursday for Sinner

Out since his Wimbledon title on 12 July, Jannik Sinner must decide on Thursday whether to return at the Shanghai Masters, which begins on 7 October. According to Sky Sport Italia, relayed by We Love Tennis, the world No 1’s knee is moving in the right direction. Surgery, still discussed this week, would mean three to four months out.

Alcaraz and Zverev win, the hard way

Defending champion in Tokyo, Carlos Alcaraz needed 2hr 31 to get past Alex Michelsen (7-6(1), 4-6, 6-1), ranked 34th: “It’s a bit frustrating,” said the Spaniard, who now faces Matteo Arnaldi in the last sixteen. In Beijing, Alexander Zverev beat Cameron Norrie (7-6(1), 6-4), his ninth win in as many meetings, before aiming a jab at Novak Djokovic: “Maybe Novak wants to play best of three at Grand Slams because he’s getting older. But apart from him, I don’t know a single player who would like to play that format.”

Rune’s comeback runs into Jacquet

Playing his first tour-level match since rupturing his Achilles tendon in October 2025, Holger Rune, now ranked 188th, lost to France’s Kyrian Jacquet (6-3, 6-1) in the Tokyo first round. “Everything froze today. It’s hard,” the Dane admitted. Ugo Humbert got past fifth seed Brandon Nakashima (6-3, 6-2) to join Jacquet in the last sixteen, L’Équipe reports.

Boisson rebuilds in Adana

Loïs Boisson thrashed Anna Blinkova, France’s new No 2, 6-0, 6-1 in the quarter-finals of the WTA 125 in Adana, a “very complete performance” according to L’Équipe. Ranked 273rd, the 2025 Roland Garros semi-finalist is playing second-tier tennis to rebuild rhythm and confidence after an injury-hit season.

Navarro cuts her season short

Emma Navarro, ranked 24th, has revealed three years of suffering before her late-2025 diagnosis of REDs, a sport-related energy deficiency: “I had never felt so ill in my life.” The 88 matches she played in 2023, the loss of almost 20kg and permanent exhaustion led the American to end her season there, L’Équipe reports.