Former French Open champion Michael Chang believes that Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori has what it takes to win a Grand Slam title someday. Chang, a former world number 2 who won his lone Grand Slam title in Paris in 1989, is currently Nishikori’s coach.
“Winning a grand slam is certainly a possibility. Kei is beating guys who have won slams or got to the finals and that will be a confidence booster for him to say, ‘Hey, I’m doing well against these players, so why can’t I just do as well [as them]’,” said Chang in an interview with SCMP.
“Kei has had a great clay court season so far, winning in Barcelona and getting to the finals in Madrid. Hopefully he can draw more strength from the way he has been playing,” said Chang, who is on his way to Paris to join up with Nishikori before the French Open gets under way this Sunday.
“He had a good French Open last year, reaching the last 16, and it would be nice to improve on that.
“It is all a matter of taking things step by step and he can’t get too far ahead of himself. He has been making good progress and has gained a lot of confidence and belief in his game and it’s starting to show,” Chang said.
Nishikori had a fruitful claycourt season, winning the ATP 500 Barcelona Open and reaching the final of Madrid Masters. The Japanese star had to retire in the third set due to injury. Rafael Nadal would go on to win the title.
Unfortunately, the injury still affected Nishikori’s movement and he would go on to lose his opening round match at Roland Garros this week.
“We have put in a lot of hard work to a lot of different aspects of his game and there are lots or areas he can improve upon, which is exciting. It’s been a good combination and the team has been working well and the results are good signs that things are going well,” Chang said.
“The tough thing about being a coach is once he steps out on the court there is nothing else you can do.”
