CORRECTED: Tennis: Nishikori bids career farewell still in love with sport

The 36-year-old appeared before a big crowd at Tokyo's Ariake Colosseum, which was eager to honor the greatest male player Japan has seen in the sport, one who reached No. 4 in the world rankings and became the country's first Grand Slam singles finalist at the 2014 U.S. Open.

The 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics bronze medalist had announced in late April that he would retire at the end of the season. He lost in the first round of his career's last tournament here on Thursday to Frances Tiafoe of the United States 6-4, 6-4.

"Honestly speaking, I was quite fulfilled with the support I got when I lost four, five days ago. But I'm glad to be able to see everyone again," said Nishikori, who cut an emotional but characteristically humorous figure over the course of the send-off.

The highlight reel shown on the big screen featured his first win over Roger Federer in 2013, back-to-back ATP Tour titles in Barcelona in 2014 and 2015, and a list of injury setbacks.

After watching it, Nishikori said, "What's left in my head are the best scenes, those of winning championships. I especially remember winning here vividly," referring to the 2012 and 2014 Japan Open wins.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal, the big stars of his era, all sent their tributes to Nishikori in the next clip, which also featured warm messages from current stars such as Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz, the Spaniard who won this year's Japan Open later in the day with a 7-6(4), 6-4 victory over Czech Jiri Lehecka.

"I'm super happy. They almost had me in tears," Nishikori said of the tributes. "I learned a lot from Djokovic, Federer, Nadal and Murray, and I also wanted other Asian players to follow me (in rivalling the world's best). It'll be great if a strong player can emerge from Japan."

Michael Chang, Nishikori's coach between 2013 and 2022, called Nishikori an "incredibly gifted athlete" and said he had "never seen anyone pick up concepts and teachings as quickly as he did."

"I won't spend all my time telling you that he competed against one of the toughest generations in men's tennis, with the likes of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, and (Stan) Wawrinka. You already know that Kei has beaten all of them," the 1989 French Open champion from the United States said during his speech.

"A coach can only do so much...He certainly never gave in to the difficulties he encountered throughout his career. He didn't complain. He persevered, and it is that perseverance and resilience that made Kei one of the toughest competitors in final sets."

Masaaki Morita, a former Sony executive and current honorary adviser of the Japan Tennis Association, said he later felt sorry for doing a "terrible thing" by sending Nishikori to the IMG Academy in Florida at a tender age of 13 with his scholarship program.

"He did amazing while alone and away from his parents," the 99-year-old said in his speech. "I'm really grateful he became the face of Japanese tennis...There's a long way ahead in his life and I hope people offer him even more support after his great start."

Nishikori was grateful to his parents and elder sister for the support they gave him after he started tennis at age 5, which allowed him to pursue his dream.

"I wanted to win a Grand Slam and be the No. 1 in the rankings since I was in elementary school...I had friends who couldn't find a dream, and those who were playing in the top group at the academy quitting," he said. "Watching the clips, I thought I love tennis and want to play much longer. I have lots of regrets."

"I couldn't win one gold medal and Grand Slam after another like (wheelchair tennis great Shingo) Kunieda, but I was able to have a really good tennis career. Please let me rest a bit, I'll definitely return to help Japanese and Asian tennis get stronger."