Ai Fukuhara walks through the terminal at Narita airport.

Tabloids focus on Ai-chan's love life

Ai loves Kei and Kei loves Ai, if the tabloid photos don’t lie—but is their passion undermining their performance on the court?

That’s what a gaggle of news hounds on hand at Narita airport to greet homecoming ping pong ace Ai Fukuhara wanted to know, says Sankei Sports (Dec 3).

“Ai-chan,” 20, and tennis star Kei Nishikori, 18, had the good or bad luck, while strolling hand in hand in Tokyo’s Shinjuku, to be spotted by a photographer for the weekly magazine Friday. The resulting photo appeared in the magazine’s Nov 20 edition. The following week there they were again in the same magazine, this time sharing a deep kiss.

On Dec 2 Ai-chan, just back from a European tour, faced the 50-odd reporters waiting for her at Narita. She was very pale, Sankei Sports tells us, and walked with her head bowed—but she did not, the newspaper declares pointedly, deny the love rumors that were uppermost in their minds.

They fired questions at her: “Is your relationship with Nishikori going well?” “Are you in touch with him?” “Are you going to spend Christmas together?”

Apparently abashed, she flinched a bit and seemed almost on the point of tears. She rallied sufficiently to say, “I apologize for causing trouble. I would like now to do my best to be able to improve my game.”

That’s the problem. Her game does need a little improving. Following the exposure in Friday, Fukuhara lost the quarterfinal match at the Germany Open, then lost three in a row at the Polish Open—this even without the redoubtable participation of China. Were personal feelings sapping her concentration?

The romance, said to date from the Beijing Olympics, has the approval at least of Ai-chan’s dad. ”It does have its heartwarming aspects, doesn’t it?” says Takehiko Fukuhara, 66. “As long, that is,” he adds, “as it makes them better competitors.”

We’ll know soon enough; she is scheduled to grace the All Japan matches in Tokyo Jan 13-18.

Nishikori, meanwhile, is training in Florida for his appearance next month at the Australian Open. When he’ll be in Japan next is anyone’s guess. Not for Christmas, apparently. Sankei Sports wishes them a happy “long-distance love rally.”

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Latest 15 of 40 Total Comments Show All

Fighton at 11:17 AM JST - 6th December

This has to be the stupidest story ever reported...

I don't why such a stupid story would ever be posted.

I could care less about Ai-chan's relationship which is her own business.

I don't know why Japanese press is so obsessed reporting such a stupid story.

If she wants to shag some dude, then that is her business.

So she likes a tennis dude, who cares??
presto345 at 12:43 PM JST - 6th December

Fighton: why do you care to comment at all then?
TheDonald at 04:19 PM JST - 6th December

"I apologize for causing trouble. I would like now to do my best to be able to improve my game".

For a country that is supposedly so advanced, it is so emotionally way behind. To be embarrassed because you were caught out in the open with a new boyfriend, it just so lame it itself is so embarrassing. How many times have we seen simlar articles on JT with someone making a silly comment like because they don't know how to handle the situation.

I think her apology is for the lapse in discipline that she herself must know she's exhibited. Not for being caught having a life.
ptolemy at 04:41 PM JST - 6th December

What the heck is she apologizing for, holding hands, and kissing? Why? Are the reporters afraid "girls have cooties"? It's not like they were caught coming out of a love hotel together, and even then its nobody's business. I think these reporters are jealous of Kei, the female reporters included. I hope Ai gets her game back.
Fighton at 09:49 PM JST - 6th December

The way stupid Japanese press is so concerned about her stupid love life, I guess she is not allowed to fall in love. Nor is she allowed to have sex... Did Ai-chan commit a crime??

Jeez, this is such a stupid story. Maybe the authorities should lock Ai-chan behind bars for holding hands with some tennis dude.. Kissing is also a crime too, for Ai-chan's world. She is only allowed to play table tennis..

There are more important stories to talk about, but the pathetic Japanese media has to focus on some table tennis player's love life.
gogogo at 02:05 AM JST - 7th December

Tabloids reporters are scum.
Badsey at 02:36 AM JST - 7th December

Aya Sugimoto clamors for attention in order to get it and Ai-chan is just the opposite.

-if Ai-chan doesn't win this battle maybe she too will fall prey to the media like Aya. Don't give up Ai-chan! You can win this battle of love on your terms.
seeker1 at 08:45 AM JST - 7th December

I hate tabloid journalism and paparazzi, unfortunately there are a lot of people who thrive on that crap. Ai did a good job, her response was appropriate.

One thing I am really tired of is people getting their shorts in a twist about Ai saying saa and pumping her fist. Do you even watch other ping pong players? They do the same, or similar things, when they get a point too. It's a natural reaction, like spiking a ball after a touchdown, so get over it.
Richard_the_First at 09:03 AM JST - 7th December

What does she need to apologise for anyway? Bizarre.
seesaw at 10:47 AM JST - 7th December

Potsu: How childish....anyway,is the tennis kid blind ??! He can have anyone with his money.

Dont you already know that J girls are 'subarashii'..when it comes to chasing after men...regardless of how ugly they look....lol
larguero at 10:43 PM JST - 7th December

So Ai-chan lost some games. Where is the news on that?
MeanRingo at 12:21 AM JST - 8th December

Likeitis... "She was so much cuter when she was younger. I think people see her the way they expected her to turn out rather than the way she did."

I've been wondering why Japan still follows this young lady and you answered my question perfectly. Thanks.
seesaw at 07:19 PM JST - 8th December

btw: I met Ai Chan a couple of years ago. She had her sweater worn inside out...lol. I corrected it for her...on 2nd thought I should have informed the media...since they are too nosey about her....:)
judochick at 08:39 AM JST - 9th December

what the hell is up with that chick, ai??? why is she getting so much publicity??? seriously, olympic gold medalists don't get as much attention as she does. ai didn't get any medals. and she's so freakin overrated. what the hell is goin on??? japan needs to give olympic medalists more attention and respect. they should ignore that overrated ping pong loser!!!
Blue_Tiger at 01:07 AM JST - 12th December

Good Jorb - Yeah, that apology was full of sentiment and true feelings, wasn't it? If you really believe that, I've a bridge for sale for you, over in Brooklyn....

BlackFlag - She's getting her comeuppance, and it isn't sitting too well with her, is it? All I've to say is this: Ai-chan is overrated....