Kei Nishikori vs Rafael Nadal: Head-to-Head Record

Kei Nishikori

Japan

3–13
16 meetings
Rafael Nadal

Spain

Hard: 2–4Clay: 1–6Grass: 0–2Carpet: 0–1
Weighted by importance & recency
3.6–12.4
The same matches re-weighted by what was at stake and how recently — a Grand Slam final this year counts for more than an early round a decade ago.
Kei Nishikori
3–13
Rafael Nadal

Kei Nishikori and Rafael Nadal have met 16 times on the professional tour. Rafael Nadal leads the head-to-head 13–3. Their most recent meeting came at Barcelona in 2021.

Common opponents

Last 12 months
No common opponents in the last 12 months.
Includes tour-level, 125s, qualifying and team events (⚑). Walkovers excluded. Describes past results in different contexts — not a prediction.

Kei Nishikori vs Rafael Nadal stats comparison

Ratings

#479 ATPRanking—
1714Elo (overall)—
1680Hard Elo—
1610Clay Elo—
1591Grass Elo—

Form

LWLLWLWWLLLast 10LLWWWWLWLW
2026 win rate·
43%
—
02026 titles0

Clutch

Under pressure
Kei NishikoriRafael Nadal
Clutch Rating·Slight edge
91
97
Break points saved·Slight edge
94
99
Break points won·Clear edge
81
99
Deciding sets·Even
100
100
Tiebreaks·Even
97
98

Performance in the biggest moments — break points, deciding sets and tiebreaks (0–100, higher is better). About

Freshness

Recent load
Kei NishikoriRafael Nadal
Freshness·
80
—

Kei Nishikori: 5 days rest · 2 matches, 60 games (7d). Higher means fresher. About

Serve vs return

Recent form
Kei Nishikoriserving77% hold

wins 61% of points on serve vs Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadalserving82% hold

wins 64% of points on serve vs Kei Nishikori

Serve advantage — Rafael Nadal

Each player's serve crossed against the other's return, converted to expected hold of serve. Recent completed matches, ATP, WTA & Challenger. About

Set records · last ~30 matches

First sets won·Slight edge
47%
57%
Deciding sets won·Clear edge
62%
50%

Career

Career win rate·Clear edge
67%
82%
12Career titles93
0Grand Slam titles22

Profile

36Age40
178 cmHeight185 cm
RightPlaysLeft

Set records use each player's last ~30 completed matches; form shows the last 10 results. Ratings come from the same data that powers the Umpiry Score.

All 16 meetings

Frequently asked questions

Who leads the head-to-head between Kei Nishikori and Rafael Nadal?

Rafael Nadal leads the head-to-head against Kei Nishikori 13–3 after 16 meetings.

How many times have Kei Nishikori and Rafael Nadal played each other?

Kei Nishikori and Rafael Nadal have played each other 16 times on the professional tour.

When did Kei Nishikori and Rafael Nadal last play each other?

Their most recent meeting came at Barcelona in 2021, where Rafael Nadal won.