Kei Nishikori says he makes up for his short height with his quick legs – Tennis News
Asia’s best player at the moment, Kei Nishikori, has shared that he has the disadvantage of having a short height but he balances that with the help of his sharp legs.
Tennis is dominated by Americans and Europeans, who are taller as compared to their Asian rivals. Asian people are genetically shorter in height and the continent’s sportspersons face disadvantage due to this fact when they take
on the Americans and Europeans where height and strength matters.
However, some of them have started to cover the height issue with their agility. Asians have quicker reflexes compared to the Americans and Europeans.
The sport of tennis did not have any Grand Slam champion from Asia, either man or woman, until La Ni captured the French Open title last year. Asian men are also catching up now, as Nishikori has entered the top 15 players in the
world.
The Japanese star was recently asked during CNN's Open Court show that how he manages to overcome this advantage. He replied, "I am not the tallest guy on tour so I have to have good legs and good speed and that's my weapon."
Just two men are shorter than 6ft among the top 15 tennis players of the world. Nishikori is 5ft 10in and the world number five from Spain, David Ferrer, stands at 5ft 9in.
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, who are the top four players in the world, all of them are over 6ft. Six of the top 15 players are taller than 6ft 5in.
All of these tall players generate much power on their serves and ground strokes, which Nishikori cannot. The Japanese player has the weakest serve among the top 20 players.
The 22-year-old added, "It's not easy to play with big servers because, for me, it's hard to hold my serve. It is getting better but still, not easy. Not as easy as tall guys.”
Nishikori also compensates his weak serve with the help of his good returns. The Florida, USA resident went on to say, "I think I have a good return. I still struggle. I have good speed; I have to cover with my legs. I can do different
things than those tall guys. It’s not easy but I have to mix the shots."
He defeated the 6ft 5in tall, Milos Raonic, in the Japan Open final to become first champion of his prestigious home event a couple of weeks back.
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