Kei Nishikori

[matsuki]

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In the Wee Hours, Japan Erupts in Celebration

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/07/sport ... .html?_r=0

Tennis Fans Rejoice After Kei Nishikori’s Win Over Novak Djokovic

Oh reeree??

One problem loomed over local Nishikori fans, however. None of Japan’s major networks, which were unprepared for Nishikori’s advance, had planned a live broadcast from the Open. Only one paid satellite broadcasting network, Wowow, beamed his matches in real time.

The predicament has sent Japanese scrambling to find live-streaming sites on the web, or other alternatives. “Congratulations Kei Nishikori on advancing to the finals,” Takatane Kiuchi, a former member of the Japanese Parliament, wrote on Twitter early Sunday. “Now, does anyone know how we can watch?”

“Nishikori crushes the No. 1 seed, advances to a historic final,” read a Jiji Press news flash. “An unprecedented feat for Japan,” declared the public broadcaster NHK.

Pssssst, he's lived in the US the past 10+ years...

Nishikori’s stardom in his native Japan is unmatched, even though he has not lived there full time for years. Since he was 14, Nishikori has made Florida his home, training first at Nick Bollettieri’s academy and more recently with a coaching team that includes the former American star Michael Chang.

What's love Japan got to do with it, got to do with it?

[Russell]

Well, he has Japanese genes, isn't it? (and 国籍 I assume)

[matsuki]

Well, he has Japanese genes, isn't it? (and 国籍 I assume)

Of course, and that's what's getting him all the fans, more power to him...but touting him as a "victory for Japan" and a "big win for Japan on the world tennis stage — and also a big win for tennis in Japan" are about the opposite message of his success is really saying. (Go study/compete/train/get coached abroad)

[Samurai_Jerk]

I was wondering what the fuck his name really was. The English guy commenting on the match on NPR this morning referred to him as "Key."

Well, he has Japanese genes, isn't it? (and 国籍 I assume)

Of course, and that's what's getting him all the fans, more power to him...but touting him as a "victory for Japan" and a "big win for Japan on the world tennis stage — and also a big win for tennis in Japan" are about the opposite message of his success is really saying. (Go study/compete/train/get coached abroad)

Whatever, dude. Pretty much every country does that.

[matsuki]

Whatever, dude. Pretty much every country does that.

Indeed, but not every country tries to reinterpret each sport and have a single, rigid way of playing forced on them. Happy for the guy and he's kicking ass, just think it's hilarious how quick the cuntry is to take credit for his success while conveniently ignoring that it's all an obvious individual/family effort overseas. One of my good J-friends just moved back from Canada to play pro sports here and he's laughing about it all cause he's in the same position, though he's lost his J-politeness and just straight up says "They like me cause I'm Japanese but I would have never gotten to this level if I stayed in Japan."

[GomiGirl]

This happens in every sport - there are plenty of people who come to Japan to train under some Karate master sensei to become the best in the world or at least in their own country when they return.

My cousin moved to the US to train for a career in pro tennis. Family friends moved to the US for pro squash circuit too.

You have to go where the best environment is to excel in your sport - if that is your goal in life. At the end of the day, you will retain your loyalty (mostly) to your home nation and also the media and locals will claim you as their own.

I find it interesting though that the sporting people who usually do the best are the ones that are largely ignored until they win something big and get onto the radar of the media. Too often the teams or individuals that are expected to do well often choke - perhaps due to this stupid pressure.

The big exception is Ichiro - that guy has had a stellar career - love him or hate him - he has been a solid performer.

[IparryU]

Now if only Japanese MMA fighters would train overseas the UFC bantamweight and lightweight divisions would change... but DFW don't like Japanese fighters due to the lemon deal they got with the Pride purchase.

Japanese people are way to uptight about being Japanese, food, etc. and you can count on them to keep falling behind in sports due to the level and variety of competition.

But you have to give it to them... they got mad dedication to whatever they put their mind to.... if only they just stepped it up a bit.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Now if only Japanese MMA fighters would train overseas the UFC bantamweight and lightweight divisions would change... but DFW don't like Japanese fighters due to the lemon deal they got with the Pride purchase.

Dana White is the guy who saved UFC and made MMA a mainstream sport in the US. Now he's trying his hardest to be the one that ruins it.

[IparryU]

Now if only Japanese MMA fighters would train overseas the UFC bantamweight and lightweight divisions would change... but DFW don't like Japanese fighters due to the lemon deal they got with the Pride purchase.

Dana White is the guy who saved UFC and made MMA a mainstream sport in the US. Now he's trying his hardest to be the one that ruins it.

That is just Dana being... Dana.

[matsuki]

This happens in every sport (snip) You have to go where the best environment is to excel in your sport - if that is your goal in life.

Yep, that is exactly what message I think should be being conveyed for any sport....which is why this "credit to Japan/Japanese Tennis" shit rubs me the wrong way. He made it because he dedicated his life to the effort and moved to the place he could best excel. (and not be constrained by the rigid way to play that has taken root here)

At the end of the day, you will retain your loyalty (mostly) to your home nation and also the media and locals will claim you as their own.

Just a guess but 10 years in Florida since 14 has probably FG'd him beyond repair. Nationality aside, going to be interesting to see how the interviews for J-TV go.

[Mike Oxlong]

Just a guess but 10 years in Florida since 14 has probably FG'd him beyond repair. Nationality aside, going to be interesting to see how the interviews for J-TV go.

He'll be fine. Been sponsored by and doing commercials for j-companies for years.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Yep, that is exactly what message I think should be being conveyed for any sport....which is why this "credit to Japan/Japanese Tennis" shit rubs me the wrong way.

What's your point? Should the Japanese not support their guy? The fact is a lot of tennis stars from around the world train in the US because facilities and coaching are good there. However, they still represent their home countries.

[matsuki]

Yep, that is exactly what message I think should be being conveyed for any sport....which is why this "credit to Japan/Japanese Tennis" shit rubs me the wrong way.

What's your point? Should the Japanese not support their guy? The fact is a lot of tennis stars from around the world train in the US because facilities and coaching are good there. However, they still represent their home countries.

That they should show more of the overseas training side and what he sacrificed to get to this level of success more than simply focus on "he's Japanese!"

[IparryU]

Yep, that is exactly what message I think should be being conveyed for any sport....which is why this "credit to Japan/Japanese Tennis" shit rubs me the wrong way.

What's your point? Should the Japanese not support their guy? The fact is a lot of tennis stars from around the world train in the US because facilities and coaching are good there. However, they still represent their home countries.

That they should show more of the overseas training side and what he sacrificed to get to this level of success more than simply focus on "he's Japanese!"

that is how he gets his sponsors and numbers behind him/his PR team.

hell, if it sells tickets and gets more people interested in the sport, go for it. Sort of like what happened with golf.

[Samurai_Jerk]

Yep, that is exactly what message I think should be being conveyed for any sport....which is why this "credit to Japan/Japanese Tennis" shit rubs me the wrong way.

What's your point? Should the Japanese not support their guy? The fact is a lot of tennis stars from around the world train in the US because facilities and coaching are good there. However, they still represent their home countries.

That they should show more of the overseas training side and what he sacrificed to get to this level of success more than simply focus on "he's Japanese!"

that is how he gets his sponsors and numbers behind him/his PR team.

hell, if it sells tickets and gets more people interested in the sport, go for it. Sort of like what happened with golf.

Exactly. TV is a business and if his Japaneseness is what viewers care about that's what broadcasters are going to focus on. People watch sports to support their player/team whether it's a local, national, or international event. It's a tribal instinct. Most of them don't really give a fuck about the details of how their guy/team got there. I think it's silly to get that worked up about sports in general no matter what the focus of that excitement is. I just don't get it. The only time I've ever been up and screaming is watching friends fight MMA or boxing. That's because I knew them personally and so I was excited for them. Otherwise I can enjoy watching a sport but don't feel a strong emotional attachment to the outcome.

[matsuki]

Indeed, it's good for promoting Tennis interest in Japan and the scramble to provide coverage is funny to watch unfold. SJ hit the nail on the head with "they're just going with what sells."

[IparryU]

Yep, that is exactly what message I think should be being conveyed for any sport....which is why this "credit to Japan/Japanese Tennis" shit rubs me the wrong way.

What's your point? Should the Japanese not support their guy? The fact is a lot of tennis stars from around the world train in the US because facilities and coaching are good there. However, they still represent their home countries.

That they should show more of the overseas training side and what he sacrificed to get to this level of success more than simply focus on "he's Japanese!"

that is how he gets his sponsors and numbers behind him/his PR team.

hell, if it sells tickets and gets more people interested in the sport, go for it. Sort of like what happened with golf.

Exactly. TV is a business and if his Japaneseness is what viewers care about that's what broadcasters are going to focus on. People watch sports to support their player/team whether it's a local, national, or international event. It's a tribal instinct. Most of them don't really give a fuck about the details of how their guy/team got there. I think it's silly to get that worked up about sports in general no matter what the focus of that excitement is. I just don't get it. The only time I've ever been up and screaming is watching friends fight MMA or boxing. That's because I knew them personally and so I was excited for them. Otherwise I can enjoy watching a sport don't feel a strong emotional attachment to the outcome.

Just look at us 'mericans when we were in the world cup.... same gig

I almost had a nervous breakdown when Weidman KO'ed Silva... the day before my b-day too. My GF at the time was with me on the couch and she shed a few tears for me cause she knew how disappointed I was.

[Samurai_Jerk]

In general I don't think I'm the kind of person to feel strong national or regional pride. However, I think one reason I don't get into it as much as other people when it comes to sports is the only sports I've ever really followed seriously are MMA and boxing. A lot of serious fans of those sports tend to follow fighters more than countries. Of course casual fans do cheer for the "home team."

[IparryU]

In general I don't think I'm the kind of person to feel strong national or regional pride. However, I think one reason I don't get into it as much as other people when it comes to sports is the only sports I've ever really followed seriously are MMA and boxing. A lot of serious fans of those sports tend to follow fighters more than countries. Of course casual fans do cheer for the "home team."

pretty much same for me, I have only really followed MMA and IDGAF about where they are from.

The home team is the Weidman hype, took another belt from the Brazilians, like TJ with Burao, Cain from JDS, etc. The only non american champ left is Aldo.

[matsuki]

I almost had a nervous breakdown when Weidman KO'ed Silva... the day before my b-day too. My GF at the time was with me on the couch and she shed a few tears for me cause she knew how disappointed I was.

Don't forget what he did to Silva in the rematch!

Of course casual fans do cheer for the "home team."

Let me rephrase what is bizzare about this to me...he's getting praise and Japan is taking pride in his success yet it really seems a "despite being born Japanese" he found success type deal. It's not the awesome conditions for Tennis players in Japan that got him where he is. Obviously this type of thing is not limited to Japan...look at Yuna Kim, even her wikipedia describes how shitty the facilities and conditions are for figure skating in Korea (she spent 4 years living/training in Toronto) yet she was able to find success despite where she was born.

I'm happy for the guy and hope it encourages young Japanese to aspire to his success....just saying I hope all the media blasting actually leads to showing how he attained that success and improvements in the tennis situation over here, rather than becoming just the next "We Japanese" pride-fest.

[Yokohammer]

Aaaaand ... Nishikori just lost to Cilic.

Not a bad run though. A downer for Japan, but at least it'll quiet the rabid media down a bit.


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[wagyl]

Let them get back to mosquito bothering at least.

[IparryU]

Aaaaand ... Nishikori just lost to Cilic.

Not a bad run though. A downer for Japan, but at least it'll quiet the rabid media down a bit.


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http://www.japantoday.com/category/sports/view/cilic-crushes-nishikori-to-win-u-s-open-title

Cilic crushes Nishikori to win U.S. Open title
Unable to play in the U.S. Open a year ago because of a doping suspension, Marin Cilic is now the tournament’s champion.

Croatia’s Cilic won his first Grand Slam title by beating Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 on Monday at Flushing Meadows, using 17 aces — including four in one game — and the same powerful groundstrokes that helped him eliminate Roger Federer in the semifinals.

[IparryU]

Yep, that is exactly what message I think should be being conveyed for any sport....which is why this "credit to Japan/Japanese Tennis" shit rubs me the wrong way.

What's your point? Should the Japanese not support their guy? The fact is a lot of tennis stars from around the world train in the US because facilities and coaching are good there. However, they still represent their home countries.

That they should show more of the overseas training side and what he sacrificed to get to this level of success more than simply focus on "he's Japanese!"

that is how he gets his sponsors and numbers behind him/his PR team.

hell, if it sells tickets and gets more people interested in the sport, go for it. Sort of like what happened with golf.

Exactly. TV is a business and if his Japaneseness is what viewers care about that's what broadcasters are going to focus on. People watch sports to support their player/team whether it's a local, national, or international event. It's a tribal instinct. Most of them don't really give a fuck about the details of how their guy/team got there. I think it's silly to get that worked up about sports in general no matter what the focus of that excitement is. I just don't get it. The only time I've ever been up and screaming is watching friends fight MMA or boxing. That's because I knew them personally and so I was excited for them. Otherwise I can enjoy watching a sport but don't feel a strong emotional attachment to the outcome.

http://www.japantoday.com/category/business/view/nishikoris-u-s-open-tour-de-force-lands-marketing-windfalls-for-lucky-few

Nishikori's U.S. Open tour de force lands marketing windfalls for lucky few
By Chang-Ran Kim

Kei Nishikori’s trail-blazing wins for Japanese tennis in the U.S. Open over the past week are landing big marketing victories for sponsors including a fashion retailer and a watch brand as surprised as anyone at his historic feat.

The 24-year-old became the first male player from Asia to advance to any grand slam final after beating Novak Djokovic before a disbelieving crowd at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Saturday.

The surprise win over the world number one has lifted sales at sponsor Fast Retailing, owner of the Uniqlo casualwear brand. Even a non-sponsor like racket maker Yonex Co saw its shares reach multi-year highs.

Uniqlo’s line of Kei Nishikori polo shirts with its red-and-white logo patch has sold out in Japan. The only item left in its online store for Nishikori’s U.S. Open line on Monday were a pair of white track pants.

Swiss watch brand TAG Heuer, owned by LVMH, is also a sponsor.

Making some money despite his loss.. but you know how them J politicians and companies are to losers... they rub it in their face and talk mad shit.

[matsuki]

Sucks that he couldn't go all the way, looks like he was overwhelmed. The morning news was focused more on what a good lil Japanese he was, apologizing to his team for losing.

Are people really going out to buy UNIQLO because of him? Yeah, all the J-people around me are chatting about him but it's just the topic of the week, can't see enough people buying enough stuff to cause the kinda stuff described in that article. (though stocks are fickle enough to get a jolt)

I was totally wrong about him being FG'd beyond repair though, considering how long he has lived in Florida, his Engrish was really shitty during the interview. I mean, he got the point across but no where near the fluency/grammer you'd expect of someone who's been there since 14.

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[kurogane]

Yeah, I was going to mention that his English is laughably bad as a defence of his Wa-fulness. I caught crap for giggling at it after the Djokovic match. I wonder just how much time he really spends in Froreeda. Either that or he has a tin ear and is stupid as a melon. I have met far too many Japanese like that to think that the mention of a Foreign Residence is anything but some sort of striver pose for domestic consumption. Keep in mind, to the sheeplet fans his Florida residence is proof of just how good he really is (he got into the Ballsaretearing Academy), and how tough and brave he is to live somewhere where all they eat is bread and cheese 3 meals a day............. I bet if you look you'll find a fan blog arguing that if only he had been able to eat rice and natto before the final he would have won. And I think we both know just how impossible it is to get real Japanese food once you leave Narita Departure Lounge. In Vancouver they have to drive at least 5 or 10 minutes to find a Japanese grocery entirely stocked with Japanese groceries usually straight from Japan.

You need more sympathy son....................

Anyways, I vote for GomiGirl's and others line: look at all the Eastern and Southern Youros that train in Florida. That place must be perogy heaven. Or Pat Lafontaine types for that matter. That boy is Apple Pie as Apple Pie, and he played hockey like he actually got it. You may thank Canada. Nothing weird about going abroad to train, and certainly no relation to his nationality or identity or WTF you want to call that jingoistic marketing crap, which I agree is sad and tiresome. Good pissy rant though.

[CrankyBastard]

I know a lot of good English speakers who don't play tennis too well.

[kurogane]

Not to mention all those English that are crap at both.....................

[CrankyBastard]

Not to mention all those English that are crap at both.....................

Quite

[Mike Oxlong]

Kaleidoscope of the Heart: Language acquisition is survival

At the Autumn Grand Sumo Tournament, Mongolian-born wrestler Ichinojo, still 21 and having just entered sumo's top division, clenched 13 wins.

Although he spoke few words in an interview, his Japanese was completely natural. In general, all foreign sumo wrestlers speak surprisingly fluent Japanese.

Similarly, Japanese tennis player Kei Nishikori, active in competitions overseas, speaks English in interviews without the use of an interpreter. To people like me who have spent years studying English and still can barely speak enough to travel, his abilities are very enviable.

Why are professional athletes good at foreign languages? The secret is written in language acquisition researcher Satoshi Miyazaki's book "Gaikokujin rikishi wa naze Nihongo ga umai no ka?" (Why are foreign sumo wrestlers good at Japanese?) According to that book, the reason lies in their motivation for learning.

For foreign sumo wrestlers living in sumo stables, learning Japanese is directly related to their survival. They have to say everything from "I want to eat" to "Where is the bathroom?" in Japanese, or they can't get through the day. All communication with their stablemaster, the "okamisan" attendants, their fellow wrestlers and their fans is in Japanese. Hardly anyone speaks their native tongue, and there is no interpreter or any time to look things up in a dictionary. They have to leave grammar by the wayside and first of all just learn which phrases are used in which situations.

I don't believe Nishikori's situation was as tough as the one in the sumo stables, but to practice and compete with foreign professional athletes and get by while traveling abroad, he had to use English. A desire to become an internationally active tennis player, no matter the cost, probably also served as a motive for him to learn English.

Getting back to Miyazaki, when asked in an interview why foreign sumo wrestlers can speak Japanese so well, he said, "I believe the tough circumstances of trying to survive in the sumo stables affect everything from language acquisition to sumo practice."

The strong desire to make it through that situation leads the wrestlers to feel, "this is no time to be complaining that I don't understand the language," and spurs them on.

If that is the case, it seems only natural that a weak motive like "it would be cool to be able to speak English" won't lead to any improvement...