Tennis: Nishikori meets press ahead of Madrid Open

Tennis: Nishikori meets press ahead of Madrid Open

MADRID, Spain, May 8 Kyodo - Japan's Kei Nishikori speaks at a press conference in Madrid on May 8, 2017, ahead of the Madrid Open. The world No. 8 player withdrew from the Barcelona Open in April with a right wrist injury sustained in Miami in March.

Japan striker Havenaar of Cordoba debuts in Spanish league

Japan striker Havenaar of Cordoba debuts in Spanish league

MADRID, Japan - Japanese newcomer Mike Havenaar (rear) of Cordoba CF fights for the ball with Real Madrid CF forward Karim Benzema in the second half of his Spanish league debut match in Madrid on Aug. 25, 2014. Real Madrid won 2-0.

Japan striker Havenaar of Cordoba debuts in Spanish league

Japan striker Havenaar of Cordoba debuts in Spanish league

MADRID, Spain - Japanese newcomer Mike Havenaar (R) of Cordoba CF fires a shot as Real Madrid CF forward Karim Benzema tries to block him in the first half of his Spanish league debut match in Madrid on Aug. 25, 2014. Real Madrid won 2-0.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Photo shows Spain's Rafael Nadal (R) and Japan's Kei Nishikori holding their trophies after the men's singles final at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 11, 2014. Nadal won the title 2-6, 6-4, 3-0, with Nishikori retiring from the match due to back pain.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori acknowledges applause from spectators after becoming runner-up at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 11, 2014. Nishikori retired from the men's singles final due to back pain. Nadal won the title 2-6, 6-4, 3-0.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Spain's Rafael Nadal (R) consoles Japan's Kei Nishikori after Nishikori retired from the men's singles final at the Madrid Open tennis tournament due to back pain in Madrid on May 11, 2014. Nadal won the title 2-6, 6-4, 3-0.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori is treated during the men's singles final against Spain's Rafael Nadal at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 11, 2014. Nishikori retired from the match due to back pain. Nadal won the title 2-6, 6-4, 3-0.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a shot against Spain's Rafael Nadal in the men's singles final at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 11, 2014. Nishikori retired from the match due to back pain. Nadal won the title 2-6, 6-4, 3-0.

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a return shot against Spaniard David Ferrer in a semifinal match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 10, 2014. Nishikori won 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-3 to face World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final.

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori acknowledges cheers from spectators after beating Spaniard David Ferrer in a semifinal match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 10, 2014. Nishikori will face World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final.

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a return shot against Spaniard David Ferrer in a semifinal match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 10, 2014. Nishikori won 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-3 to face World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final.

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori celebrates after beating Spaniard David Ferrer in a semifinal match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 10, 2014. Nishikori will face World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final.

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori celebrates after beating Spaniard David Ferrer in a semifinal match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 10, 2014. Nishikori will face World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final.

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

Nishikori to play Nadal in Madrid Open final

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a return shot against Spaniard David Ferrer in a semifinal match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 10, 2014. Nishikori won 7-6(5), 5-7, 6-3 to face World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the final.

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori is pictured during the Madrid Open quarterfinals against Spain's Feliciano Lopez in Madrid on May 9, 2014. Nishikori, who won 6-4, 6-4, will become the first Japanese to crack the top 10 of the ATP rankings.

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori is pictured during the Madrid Open quarterfinals against Spain's Feliciano Lopez in Madrid on May 9, 2014. Nishikori, who won 6-4, 6-4, will become the first Japanese to crack the top 10 of the ATP rankings.

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori is pictured during the Madrid Open quarterfinals against Spain's Feliciano Lopez in Madrid on May 9, 2014. Nishikori, who won 6-4, 6-4, will become the first Japanese to crack the top 10 of the ATP rankings.

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori is pictured during the Madrid Open quarterfinals against Spain's Feliciano Lopez in Madrid on May 9, 2014. Nishikori, who won 6-4, 6-4, will become the first Japanese to crack the top 10 of the ATP rankings.

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

Nishikori reaches Madrid semis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori is pictured during the Madrid Open quarterfinals against Spain's Feliciano Lopez in Madrid on May 9, 2014. Nishikori, who won 6-4, 6-4, will become the first Japanese to crack the top 10 of the ATP rankings.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a return shot against Canada's Milos Raonic in a third-round match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 8, 2014. Nishikori won 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to advance to the quarterfinals.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori acknowledges cheers from spectators after beating Canada's Milos Raonic in a third-round match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 8, 2014. Nishikori won 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to advance to the quarterfinals.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a return shot against Canada's Milos Raonic in a third-round match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 8, 2014. Nishikori won 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to advance to the quarterfinals.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori celebrates after beating Canada's Milos Raonic in a third-round match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open tennis tournament in Madrid on May 8, 2014. Nishikori won 7-6(5), 7-6(5) to advance to the quarterfinals.

Japan's Nishikori cruises into 3rd round of Madrid Open

Japan's Nishikori cruises into 3rd round of Madrid Open

MADRID, Spain - Kei Nishikori of Japan serves to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain during their second-round match of the Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica in Madrid on May 6, 2014. Nishikori won 6-3, 6-1 to advance to the third round.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori celebrates after defeating Ivan Dodig of Croatia in a first-round match of the men's singles at the Madrid Open in Madrid on May 5, 2014. Nishikori won 6-4, 6-4.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a backhand during a men's singles first-round match against Ivan Dodig of Croatia at the Madrid Open in Madrid on May 5, 2014. Nishikori won 6-4, 6-4.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a forehand against Ivan Dodig of Croatia during a men's singles first-round match at the Madrid Open in Madrid on May 5, 2014. Nishikori won 6-4, 6-4.

Madrid Open tennis

Madrid Open tennis

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Kei Nishikori plays a backhand during a men's singles first-round match against Ivan Dodig of Croatia at the Madrid Open in Madrid on May 5, 2014. Nishikori won 6-4, 6-4.

Japan, Spain agree to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy

Japan, Spain agree to strengthen cooperation in renewable energy

MADRID, Spain - Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (L) talks with Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy (R) in Madrid on Jan. 8, 2014. They agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas requiring cutting-edge technology, such as renewable energy and medical services.

Japan, Spanish foreign minister meet

Japan, Spanish foreign minister meet

MADRID, Spain - Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (L) and Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Garcia-Margallo hold hands before their talks in Madrid on Jan. 7, 2014.

Japan prince in Madrid

Japan prince in Madrid

MADRID, Spain - Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito delivers a speech during a banquet hosted by Spanish Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Crown Princess Letizia at the palace in Madrid on June 12, 2013. (Pool photo)

Japan prince in Madrid

Japan prince in Madrid

MADRID, Spain - Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito delivers a speech during a banquet hosted by Spanish Crown Prince Felipe and his wife Crown Princess Letizia at the palace in Madrid on June 12, 2013. (Pool photo)

Japan prince in Madrid

Japan prince in Madrid

MADRID, Spain - Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (2nd from R), Spanish Crown Prince Felipe (far L) and his wife, Crown Princess Letizia (far R), greet a guest to a banquet hosted by the Spanish royal couple at the palace in Madrid on June 12, 2013.

Japan prince in Madrid

Japan prince in Madrid

MADRID, Spain - Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (L) delivers a speech, while Spanish Crown Princess Letizia (R) looks on, during a banquet hosted by the princess and her husband, Spanish Crown Prince Felipe, at the palace in Madrid on June 12, 2013. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince in Spain

Japan crown prince in Spain

MADRID, Spain - Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (L) walks with Florentino Perez, president of Real Madrid, on the pitch at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, Spain, on June 12, 2013.

Japan crown prince in Spain

Japan crown prince in Spain

MADRID, Spain - Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito (2nd from R in front) views the exhibition in Madrid on June 11, 2013, of photos depicting Japanese citizens' recovery efforts from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

Japan crown prince in Spain

Japan crown prince in Spain

MADRID, Spain - Japan's Crown Prince Naruhito (C) inspects the honor guard, escorted by Spanish Crown Prince Felipe, at the Royal Palace of El Pardo in Madrid on June 10, 2013. The Japanese prince was in Spain to attend a series of events to mark the 400th anniversary of bilateral exchanges.

Spain offers to help Japan over N. Korea's nuclear ambitions

Spain offers to help Japan over N. Korea's nuclear ambitions

MADRID, Spain - Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero speaks with Japanese reporters at his office in Madrid on Jan. 5 prior to his visit to Japan beginning from Jan. 15. Spain has offered to help Japan in addressing the North Korean nuclear standoff.

Okuda meets with Spanish economy minister

Okuda meets with Spanish economy minister

MADRID, Spain - Hiroshi Okuda (L), chairman of the Japan Business Federation (Nippon Keidanren), is in talks with Rodorigo de Rato, Spanish deputy prime minister and minister of the economy, at the prime minister's office in Madrid on July 11.

(4)North Korea confirms eight persons dead

(4)North Korea confirms eight persons dead

TOKYO, Japan - File photo shows Kaoru Matsuki, who had gone missing while in Madrid, Spain, and was confirmed dead by North Korea on Sept. 17.

(4)Japan beaten by Real Madrid

(4)Japan beaten by Real Madrid

MADRID, Spain - Real Madrid keeper Carlos Sanchez (R) blocks a shot from Japan's Toshihiro Hattori just before the final whistle in a friendly at Bernabeu Santiago, Madrid, on May 7.

(3)Japan beaten by Real Madrid

(3)Japan beaten by Real Madrid

MADRID, Spain - Japan midfielder Kazuyuki Toda (R) struggles for the ball with Real Madrid's Luis Figo in the first half of a friendly at Bernabeu Santiago, Madrid, on May 7.

(3)Japan, Real Madrid warm up for friendly

(3)Japan, Real Madrid warm up for friendly

MADRID, Spain - Members of the Japan squad warm up in Madrid as coach Philippe Troussier (R) watches on May 6 on the eve of a friendly match against Real Madrid scheduled for May 7.

(2)Japan, Real Madrid warm up for friendly

(2)Japan, Real Madrid warm up for friendly

MADRID, Spain - Real Madrid manager Del Bosque talks with the media in Madrid on May 6 on the eve of a friendly match against Japan scheduled for May 7.

(1)Japan, Real Madrid warm up for friendly

(1)Japan, Real Madrid warm up for friendly

MADRID, Spain - Real Madrid defender Roberto Carlos (L) and midfielder Luis Figo (R) warm up in Madrid on May 6 on the eve of a friendly match against Japan scheduled for May 7.