Updated 29 September 2026
Often regarded as one of Japan’s greatest male tennis players, with 12 ATP singles titles, Kei Nishikori is now in 2026 playing the last year of his career on tour.
Kei Nishikori’s tennis racquet
As a legend in Japanese tennis, Nishikori has his own signature racquet in Japan. It is the Wilson Ultra Tour 98, a slightly longer frame with good heft and stability. Nishikori always used a pretty heavy racquet throughout his career. He did play the Tour 95 mold for a long time, but switched to a larger head size in the last couple of years.
Nishikori’s racquet is actually longer than the Ultra Tour 98, but in terms of feel and performance, they are not that different. But Nishikori’s specs will require a talented player since they are quite heavy in terms of swing weight.
Nishikori used to string with Luxilon 4G, but it looks like he has switched to Alu Power. The photos and specs are from prostocktennis
Kei Nishikori’s racquet specs
- Head size 98 sq. in. / 630 sq. cm.
- Length 27.7 in. / 70.4 cm.
- Strung weight 11.1 oz. / 315 gr.
- Strung balance 355 mm
- Stiffness 65
- Grip size L3 (4 3/8)
- Grip type Wilson perforated Cushion Aire
- String pattern 18 mains / 19 crosses
- Strung swing weight: 354
Player Info
- Born: December 29, 1989 (Shimane, Japan)
- Turned Pro: 2007
- Height: 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
- Plays: Right-handed with a two-handed backhand
- Career-High Ranking: No. 4 (March 2015)
Career Highlights and Achievements
- Making Grand Slam History: Nishikori’s career-defining run came at the 2014 US Open, where he defeated World No. 1 Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. By reaching the final, he became the first male player representing an Asian country to reach a Grand Slam singles final.
- ATP Title Tally: Over his career, Nishikori captured 12 ATP singles titles, including an impressive run of four consecutive Memphis Open titles from 2013 through 2016.
- Olympic Success: He won a historic bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, defeating Rafael Nadal in the bronze-medal match. It was Japan’s first Olympic tennis medal since 1920, ending a 96-year wait.
- Elite Consistency: A former World No. 4, Nishikori spent years among the world’s top players and qualified for the ATP World Tour Finals in 2014 and 2015, reaching the semifinals in his 2014 debut.
Legacy
Nishikori inspired a generation of tennis fans and players across Japan and throughout Asia. As he enters the final season of his professional career in 2026, his impact on the global tennis landscape is firmly established.
Isn ‘t the Blx tour pl, more round in the troat and shaft area? Also it has larger than 95inch hitting area i think.
Maybe Kei plays with a wilson pro stock like many of the Wilson ATP players?
Hi Ron,
From what I know I’m pretty sure it’s the BLX Tour Limited. Below are the specs.
Lots of Wilson pro’s are using H19 and H22, but Nishikori should be using the BLX Tour.
Cheers / Jonas
Technical Specifications
Length 27.5 inches 69.85 centimeters
Head Size 95 square inches 613 square centimeters
Weight 11.1 ounces 315 grams
Balance Point 13.5 inches
34 centimeters 2pts Head Light
Construction 24mm / 25mm / 25mm
Composition Karophite Black / Basalt
String Pattern 16 Mains / 20 Crosses
Babolat RDC Ratings
Score
Grade
Flex Rating 73 Range: 0-100
Swing Weight 345 Range: 200-400
Hi. I just Saw him play in Washington DC but he had a different cosmetic. More brown gold then the usual burn look. Kyle Edmund played a different one too. What’s happening?
Greetings Luis
Hi Luis,
It seems like they have launched Camo for all their light editions so: Pro Staff, Burn, Blade and Ultra but for L and UL. My guess is that they want to target kids/juniors. Cheers / Jonas
Did he change his racquet in 2019? At Brisbane, he played with that it looked liked a Wilson Ultra
Hi Laurean,
No, it is his old racquet, but with the new Ultra Tour 95 paint job. So he is not endorsing Burn anymore, but the Ultra line. But it is still his old nTour 95. Cheers / Jonas
“If you have a bit of a sensitive elbow, I would recommend you to string it up low with a soft poly string”
Sorry but I disagree, Keep right away from all polys and co-polys, Use multi or natural gut
I see your point, but most people want to use polys. I should have written “soft string” instead.
There seems to be a consensus on Talk Tennis that Nishikori is using the Wilson nCode nTour 95. Is there something you know that they don’t? The nCode has a stiffness in the low 60s so they are two very different racquets. Would be interesting to know which he is using for sure.