Began playing at age nine and became a runner up at a national tournament at age 12…From Mie Prefecture…Mother, Sachiko is a housewife, father, Koji, is a school teacher…Has a sister, Kanako, who is 7 years older and a sister, Arisa, who is 3 years younger…Turned pro in 2006 while in high school…Moved to Tokyo in 2008 to train at the newly completed National Training Center in Kita ward with Go Soeda…Made Davis Cup debut for Japan in 2009…Broke into the Top 100 in 2012 and played at the London Olympic Games...Considers serve and forehand – often called “dragon shots” – his strength and prefers playing on hard courts…His fun and kind personality is well liked by his peers.
Japanese Tennis DEUCE Feature (Jan. 2013)
2012 -- The Japanese No. 3 (behind No. 19 Nishikori, No. 58 Soeda) compiled his best results and like countrymen finished with a year-end high ranking...His best ATP World Tour results were 2 QF, on grass in ‘s-Hertogenbosch in June (l. to Paire) and indoors in Moscow (l.to Seppi) in October...In his home country stop in Tokyo, posted biggest win over No. 12 ranked Almagro in 2 TB sets (l. to Tursunov in 2R)...Early in season, won Challenger titles on home soil in Kyoto (d. Jaziri) and in Busan, South Korea (d. Millman). Also runner-up in Kaohsiung (l. to Soeda). Compiled a 26-9 match record...In Grand Slam play, reached 2R at Australian Open (d. Starace, l. to Mahut) and lost in 1R in other 3...Compiled records of 5-8 on hard, 3-4 on grass and 2-4 on clay. Earned a career-high $253,902...
2011 -- Earned 1st ATP tournament match wins in Atlanta (d. Berrer, l. to Devvarman) and Tokyo (d. Sela, l. to Tomic)...Repeated Toyota Challenger title. Also won in Recife and reached Busan final...
2010 -- Won Challenger titles at Brasilia and Toyota while posting a 20-15 record. Also claimed 1 Futures title...
2009 -- Earned 1st career ATP level win in dead rubber against Uzbekistan. Reached 1st career Challenger final at Toyota. Claimed 1 Futures title in 3 finals appearances
2008 -- Made ATP main draw debut in Tokyo (l. to Reynolds)...Finished 29-11 in Futures with 4 titles
2007 -- Won 1st career Futures title and reached 3 other SF...
2006 -- Was 6-6 with 2 QF at Futures events in Japan...
2013
On 21 March, retired due to cramp in third set versus Rochus at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Miami 1R…