Japan's former tennis world No. 4 Kei Nishikori lost on his return to the ATP tour on Thursday, going down 6-3, 6-4 against Austrian Sebastian Ofner in the first round of the Miami Open.

The 34-year-old Nishikori had hip joint surgery in January 2022 before returning to the top-tier ATP Tour last July at the Atlanta Open, but a left knee injury suffered at the tournament saw him sidelined again.

Kei Nishikori of Japan plays against Sebastian Ofner of Austria in the first round of the men's singles at the Miami Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida, on March 21, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Nishikori, currently ranked 351st, was a wild card at Miami. The 40th-ranked Ofner did not allow a single break to advance.

"I was playing with good rhythm at practice but it was different in a real match," Nishikori said.

"Some of the shots I aimed at corners went to the middle. I had tough spells for long stretches."

Kei Nishikori of Japan leaves the court after losing to Sebastian Ofner of Austria in the first round of the men's singles at the Miami Open tennis tournament in Miami, Florida, on March 21, 2024. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

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