Shintaro Mochizuki aiming to succeed Kei Nishikori as Japan’s top male player

With Kei Nishikori’s career winding down, Shintaro Mochizuki is one of several talented young players aiming to take over the mantle as Japan’s top male tennis player.

The 22-year-old Mochizuki grabbed international headlines when he became the first Japanese player to win a Grand Slam boys’ singles title at Wimbledon in 2019.

Mochizuki has been praised for his ability to take the ball early, hit strong, flat groundstrokes and finish points at the net. Some of that ability was on display in his first round match at the Japan Open on Thursday at Ariake Coliseum in Tokyo.