(Transcript from World News Radio)
At the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne, Asia's top male player, Kei Nishikori of Japan, will be in action for the first time on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old ranks fifth in the latest world's men singles rankings - and is seen by many as possibly the first Asian man who will will a Grand Slam.
Yuzuha Oka reports.
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Kei Nishikori's best performance so far was achieved last September, when he beat the world's number one, Novak Djokovic, in a semi-final the US open.
That made him the first Asian-born male to reach a Grand Slam final.
He went on to lose the final against Marin Cilic.
But his performance made him the first Japanese male to be ranked among the top five players in the world.
"That was my first goal when I turned pro, when I was 18 and you know, try to be one of the best players in Japan. That's my first goal. and now you know, (I'm) number five so try to aim for next one."
Born in the small prefecture of Shimane in Japan's west, Nishikori has been playing tennis since he was five years old.
His parents flew him to Florida at the age of 14, to be able to train in the US while completing his schooling.
Nishikori's early signs of talent continued to develop and he has won several ATP events including the Japan and Memphis Opens.
In last year's Australian Open, he made it to the fourth round, but lost to Rafael Nadal of Spain.
After the match, Nadal told Channel 7 that Nishikori is a fantastic player.
"He is able to hit the ball very early. That's very difficult. He is doing very easily. For me, I was in trouble. The ball was coming back very very very quick. It was difficult for me to take the position from inside the court. I was close to lose every set. So just congratulate Kei because he's playing great, and I really feel that he will have a great season."
As Nadal predicted, Nishikori rushed up the ladder in 2014, being runner-up at both the US Open and the Madrid Masters, and was a semi-finalist at the Miami Masters.
He was the16th seed in last year's Australian Open, but this year he's seeded number five, the highest a Japanese player has ever been seeded.
"I have conflicts to be honest. There is a lot more to think compared to when I was ranked around number 20. I think I shouldn't be thinking too much about it, because it all turns out to be my pressure. It's never easy to be the world's number five. But basically, I try not to think too much about it."
Nishikori's walm-ups for the Australian Open were the Brisbane International and the Kooyong Classic tournaments.
He didn't make the final of either, but says he's fully prepared for the Australian Open.
"My tennis has got better overall. I have been playing well in Brisbane and Kooyong. If I am fit physically and mentally, I have a chance to beat any player."
Nishikori says he aspires to win the Australian Open - but realises it won't be easy.
"I hope I can win it but I know it's going to be a long way to win a Grand Slam. It's never easy. It's five sets and everybody plays hundred per cent. So hopefully I can come back Grand Slam final sometimes, but this is one of my favourite Grand Slams, you know. I feel more support and more comfortable playing. It's in Australia, you know, Asia Oceania, so I feel more support. So I hope I can do well and I always enjoy this tournament."
Nishikori's first round opponent in Melbourne will be Nicholas Almagro, from Spain, a former top 10 player who's coming into the Australian Open unseeded, after a long injury lay-off.
"He could have been seeded. I think it's going to be a tough match. He was away because of his injury, but he is a top player. His serve is great,and he has one of the best forehand in this tour. I will prepare well to fight against this tough competitor."
SInce Nishikori turned pro in 2007, he has earned more than eight million US dollars in prize money.
This year, both the men's and women's singles winners at the Australian Open will be receiving three-point-one-million dollars.
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