Hangzhou, China, September 30, 2023: Though he came up short in the Men’s Singles Final on Saturday at Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre Tennis Centre, Japan’s Yosuke Watanuki was philosophical about the loss and thinking about his future.
Watanuki, the No. 2 seed, fell to top-seeded Zhang Zhizhen of China 6-4, 7-6 (9-7), after leading 4-1 in the first set.
“It was a good experience for me with all the people here,” the 25-year-old Watanuki stated. “It is the first silver medal for me in singles in the tournament. Right now, I am a little fatigued, but the whole week has been good for me.”
Watanuki’s current motivation is to try and play in the Paris Olympics.
“I need to improve my ranking so I can qualify to play in Paris,” Watanuki said.
The native of Saitama Prefecture spoke of the inspiration and admiration he has for Kei Nishikori, Japan’s most famous men’s player ever. The 33-year-old Nishikori is currently trying to return to the ATP Tour after battling injuries the past two years.
“I hope Kei comes back. He is a very, very good player in Japan,” Watanuki commented. “I have been watching him and learned a lot from him. I want to play against him.”
As far as his own ambitions, Watanuki is striving to be the best in his country.
“I hope to become the No. 1 player in Japan someday. I admire Kei and Yoshihito (Nishioka).”
Watanuki said when Nishikori made the final of the U.S. Open in 2014, it was a watershed moment for men’s tennis in Japan.
“It had a super impact for Japanese players,” Watanuki recalled. “Before Kei came along, we were happy to win in the second round of Grand Slams. When he made the final of the U.S. Open, it was a really big moment for us.”
Watanuki was in the junior ranks at that time and remembers Nishikori’s run well.
“I was a high school student at that time and playing in the juniors at the U.S. Open,” Watanuki remarked. “I was there watching him. That was a big impact for me. I was thinking, ‘Maybe I can be there because he is there.’ ”