Japanese authorities have ordered the postponement of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games on Tuesday due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Kei Nishikori, said he has been training well lately and is aiming to come back stronger. The Japanese icon has not played since he underwent elbow surgery last October.
Former world number 4 hoped he would be ready for the start of this season, but that was unfortunately not the case after the Tokyo Olympics postponed to 2021.
“Hello, I’m in Florida. We’re running out of supplies in the supermarkets here, but I’ve had good workouts lately. I don’t know when it will be yet, but I’m trying to come back stronger.” Nishikori said.
“I am relieved to learn that the Tokyo Olympics have been postponed because the Games have not been canceled and I think it is a good decision for all players.
“I’m sure some players feel disappointed with this, especially those who worked hard for the Olympics, but some players can’t even train now postponing is therefore a better decision being fair to everyone.
“I am really happy to have the Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2021. I look forward to this and I will try to be ready to take advantage of the opportunity. Let us take precautions and do our best to improve as soon as possible this difficult situation.” he added.
Nishikori further pushed back his return date when he pulled out of several events in February and also missed action in the Davis Cup this month.
According to the government, the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games will be celebrated from 23 July to 8 August 2021. They also agreed on new dates for Paralympic Games, which will be celebrated from 24 August until 5 September 2021.
“I want to thank the International Federations for their unanimous support and the Continental Associations of National Olympic Committees for the great partnership and their support in the consultation process over the last few days.” IOC President Thomas Bach said in a statement.
“I would also like to thank the IOC Athletes’ Commission, with whom we have been in constant contact. With this announcement, I am confident that, working together with the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, the Japanese Government and all our stakeholders, we can master this unprecedented challenge. Humankind currently finds itself in a dark tunnel. These Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 can be a light at the end of this tunnel.” He added.
