Kei Nishikori, the first Japanese man to reach the top-10 in tennis' world rankings, on Tuesday heaped praise on his "amazing" countryman Hideki Matsuyama for reaching a Japanese-best No. 2 on the PGA tour list.

But while he offered major praise, Nishikori hinted that he feels Matsuyama is not getting the recognition he deserves at home, saying many world-class Japanese athletes get more love outside of their homeland.

"All I have to say is that he's amazing," Nishikori said of his golfing compatriot who moved to his career-best ranking after taking second at the recent U.S. Open around the Erin Hills course in Wisconsin.

"I'd like to see the (Japanese) media report more on how great he is," he added.

Nishikori, who recently ranked 20th in ESPN's top 100 most famous active athletes, said after his first-round victory at the Gerry Weber Open in Germany that he sees a difference in the quantity of coverage golf and tennis get in Japan, compared to elsewhere.

"Neither tennis nor golf is considered among the top two sports in Japan," said Nishikori.

"I hope they become more (culturally) accepted," he said, mentioning that he wants tennis and golf to get more coverage in Japan, to the same level as baseball and sumo.

Nishikori, 27, and Matsuyama, 25, spoke face-to-face on a talk show late last year, discussing the similarities and challenges of their two sports, including the tour systems and constant travel.

The two also have some career parallels, with neither of them having won a big prize -- for Nishikori, a Grand Slam title and for Matsuyama, a major title -- despite both knocking on the door.

Meanwhile in Arkansas, retiring former world No. 1 golfer Ai Miyazato also spoke of her excitement about Matsuyama tying the best showing by a Japanese man at a golf major.

Speaking at the Pinnacle Country Club two days before the start of the NW Arkansas Championship, Miyazato extended congratulations to the fifth-year pro while advising him to stay focused on riding this wave of success.

"That was amazing," said Miyazato. "He'll win (a major championship) any day now. I hope he continues to pile up wins, but not get too caught up with winning just the majors," she said.

It is the first time in nearly two months that Miyazato is competing on the U.S. LPGA tour, and the first time she's played in North America since she set a season's end date for her retirement.

In her 20-minute press conference to local media, Miyazato explained again that it was lack of motivation that triggered her retirement decision.

When asked why she needed four years to pick up her first win on the U.S. women's tour, Miyazato, reflecting on her adjustment period, said it took her longer than expected to overcome the language, travel and the time difference barriers.

"My 12 years in the U.S. are great memories. I played to the best of my ability. I hope to enjoy the remainder of the season," she said.