Kei Nishikori, who has been sidelined since August with a season-ending wrist injury, is determined to return with a level of fitness and form that will leave no question about his place among the game's best.
On Friday, Nishikori said his confidence is right where it was before a dislocated tendon in his right wrist forced him out of the Cincinnati Masters this summer and cut short his 10th season on the ATP Tour.
Although the 27-year-old does not have a timeline for his comeback, coping with discomfort, frustration and lack of time on court is familiar territory, and he knows that when it comes to recovery from injury, haste makes waste.