Japanese tennis star Kei Nishikori has confessed to cheating on his wife, Mai Yamaguchi, after being caught in a scandalous affair with model Azuki Oguchi. The news has sent shockwaves through the tennis world and has significantly tarnished the reputation of the former world number four.
Nishikori, who married Yamaguchi in 2020 after a five-year relationship, has issued a public apology expressing deep regret for his actions. The couple has two young children, aged four and one. The affair reportedly began in 2022, just before Nishikori and Yamaguchi held their wedding ceremony and reception in December of that year. According to reports, Nishikori met Oguchi in Honolulu, Hawaii, during a tour stop. What started as a casual encounter soon developed into a serious relationship.
Japanese media outlet Shukan Bunshun broke the story, alleging that Nishikori was photographed leaving Oguchi's apartment on June 11, 2025. The publication further reported that Oguchi's then-boyfriend confronted Nishikori about the affair in 2023, leading to a temporary end to the relationship. However, the affair allegedly resumed last year.
In his apology, Nishikori stated, "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. Additionally, I deeply regret making my wife and children feel hurt." He also pledged to focus on his tennis career to regain the trust of his family. "Moving forward, in order to fulfill my role as a responsible member of society, I will focus solely on tennis competitions and achieving results. We will do everything possible to regain their trust," he said.
The timing of the scandal is particularly difficult for Nishikori, who has been struggling with injuries in recent years. He recently withdrew from Wimbledon due to a back injury, adding to a string of missed tournaments, including the Italian Open and the French Open.
The affair and subsequent apology have sparked widespread discussion about Nishikori's future, both personally and professionally. At 35, he faces the challenge of rebuilding his reputation while also trying to return to the top of the tennis world. Some observers believe that the scandal could further derail his career, while others suggest that a renewed focus on tennis could provide a path to redemption.
Nishikori's career has been marked by both great success and significant setbacks. He reached the final of the US Open in 2014 and has been a quarterfinalist at Wimbledon twice. However, injuries have plagued him in recent years, preventing him from consistently competing at the highest level. This latest scandal adds another layer of complexity to his already challenging journey.
