Carlos Alcaraz triumphed at the Japan Open, securing his eighth title of the season and the 24th of his career with a dominant victory over Taylor Fritz. The tournament, which is part of the ATP 500 series, was held in Tokyo at the Ariake Colosseum.
Reflecting on his journey this year, Alcaraz expressed his pride in overcoming early-season struggles. “I didn’t start the year that good, struggling emotionally, so how I came back from that, I’m just really proud of myself, and of all the people around me who have helped me to be in this position,” said the world No. 1.
This victory was particularly sweet for Alcaraz as it came just nine days after Fritz defeated him in the Laver Cup. However, in their latest encounter, Alcaraz displayed his fierce determination, taking control of the match and securing a straight-sets win at 6-4, 6-4, marking his 67th match victory of the year.
Alcaraz, who has had a phenomenal season with eight titles and ten finals, continued, “It’s been my best season so far without a doubt… That shows how hard I’ve worked just to be able to experience these moments and accomplish my goals.”
Fritz faced challenges during the match, taking two medical timeouts for issues with his left thigh, which seemed to affect his performance against Alcaraz’s explosive style. Despite the injury, the match featured several thrilling rallies and intricate exchanges that kept spectators engaged.
There were moments of drama, particularly in the fourth game, where after a long exchange, Alcaraz was issued a time violation for slow play after pausing to catch his breath. He quickly regrouped, showcasing his trademark lob to hold serve in the next point.
Utilizing his powerful forehand and keen returns, Alcaraz consistently pressured Fritz, finally converting a break point to take the first set. In typical fashion, Alcaraz kept the intensity high throughout, and although Fritz managed to break back late in the second set, Alcaraz ultimately closed out the match after 93 minutes on court.
After receiving the trophy, Alcaraz announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Rolex Masters in Shanghai, citing the need for recovery for his left ankle. This change means that Corentin Moutet will be seeded 33rd and fill Alcaraz’s slot at the top of the draw, facing either Beijing finalist Learner Tien or Miomir Kecmanovic in the second round.
With Alcaraz stepping aside, Jannik Sinner, the current world No. 2, will now be the highest-ranked player in Shanghai and is set to battle either Daniel Altmaier or a qualifier in his opening match.
