5 hours ago
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Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori was getting a little too much love off the court.
The world’s No. 61 player is alleged to be having a years-long affair with model Azuki Oguchi by Japanese tabloid Shukan Bunshun.
Nishikori gave a statement to the outlet.
“I deeply apologize for causing discomfort to everyone who supports me: tennis fans, associations, sponsors, and other related parties, and for their concern and inconvenience due to my dishonest behavior,” Nishikori said in a statement. “Additionally, I deeply regret making my wife and children feel hurt.
The 35-year-old, who married his wife, Mai Yamaguchi, in 2020 after a five-year relationship, was seen visiting model Oguchi’s apartment last week in Japan, with photos published by Shukan Bunshun showing the two together and walking out of the apartment.
The tennis star shares two children with Yamaguchi, ages 4 and 1.
“Moving forward, in order to fulfill my role as a responsible member of society, I will focus solely on tennis competitions and achieving results,” his statement continued. “We will do everything possible to regain their trust.”
Nishikori and Oguchi reportedly met in 2022 while in Honolulu, Hawaii.
In 2023, Oguchi was reportedly confronted by her then-boyfriend over her relationship with Nishikori.
Shukan Bunshun reports that Nishikori, a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon in 2018 and 2019, hired a lawyer in an attempt to mediate and avoid a public scandal.
Nishikori and Oguchi’s relationship came to an end in 2023 but resumed in 2024 after the tennis star reportedly told her that he “no longer loves his wife” and that they are together solely for the sake of their children.
Nishikori was forced to pull out of the French Open as well as Wimbledon due to injuries with the scandal brewing.
He is the first Asian player to reach a Grand Slam final — losing to Marin Cilic in the 2014 US Open finals — while also having won 12 ATP titles and was ranked No. 4 in the world.
English (US)