Tennis: Nishikori vows to come back stronger after injury layoff

FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Wimbledon - London, Britain - July 5, 2017 Japan’s Kei Nishikori celebrates winning the second round match against Ukraine’s Sergiy Stakhovsky REUTERS/Toby Melville/Files

(Reuters) - Japan's Kei Nishikori is hopeful of returning from his lengthy injury layoff at the start of 2018 and looking forward to challenging for major titles and a place in the top five next season.

The 27-year-old was ranked ninth in the world before sustaining a season-ending wrist injury ahead of the Cincinnati Masters in August and joined a host of top players including Novak Djokovic and Stan Wawrinka on the sidelines.