Kei Nishikori said the left-calf injury that ended his Wimbledon campaign is no longer bothering him, and that he is ready to return next month to make a run at the U.S. Open.
"It's not an issue at all now," Nishikori said on Monday, upon announcing the extension of his sponsorship deal with Nissin Foods Group through December 2020. "I hope I can hit my peak (at the U.S. Open)."
Nishikori retired in the second round of Wimbledon because of the injury and has been training in Japan since. The world No. 5 is on course to come back at the Citi Open starting Aug. 3 in Washington, D.C. to warm up for the U.S. Open where he reached the final last season.
"I'm already looking ahead," Nishikori said. "I'm in a position where I think I have a shot at the world No. 1 ranking, and I want to enjoy the challenge."
The U.S. Open starts on Aug. 31 in New York.
Nishikori's contract with Nissin ensures he will have major financial backing to the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, where he wants to medal.
"It's the Olympics in Japan," he said. "I'll do whatever I can to win a medal."