Top seed Carlos Alcaraz completed a fascinating run in Tokyo by edging world No. 5 Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the final, capturing his maiden Japan Open title, his eighth this season, and the 24th at tour-level of his career on Tuesday.
Furthermore, the 22-year-old extended his leadership on the ATP Tour in wins to 67, a personal best.
“It’s been my best season so far without a doubt,” asserted the Spaniard after being crowned champion in Tokyo. “Eight titles, 10 finals… That shows how hard I’ve worked just to be able to experience these moments and accomplish my goals.”
The Murcia native is only the sixth man to win eight titles in a calendar year this century, including three Masters 1000 (Monte-Carlo, Rome, and Cincinnati) and two majors, becoming a two-time Roland-Garros and US Open champion.
Briefly looking back to a staggering year, he added: “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.”
Throughout the second set of the championship match, Fritz showed signs of obvious discomfort, requiring two medical time-outs to receive treatment in his left thigh.
Physically hampered, the No. 1 American racquet, who two weeks ago beat Alcaraz in straight sets at the Laver Cup in San Francisco, struggled with his movement on court but did not lose focus and continued to fight.
Making the most of his powerful serve, he seized his moments, narrowing the gap from 1-5 down to 4-5. Eventually, it would not be enough to contain his opponent’s aggressive display.
Generating some of his trademark drop shots, executed with finesse, and making good use of his lethal forehand, Alcaraz damaged his adversary when it mattered most, producing high-level tennis from all possible and impossible angles, as he did all tournament despite his own fitness concerns.
The Spanish player suffered an injury scare as early as his opening match at the venue, but he found his way through it, competing with a bandage tightly wrapped around his left ankle.
During the trophy ceremony, he addressed the physical issue: “I’m really happy with the level that I played, with everything. Starting the week not really good, with the ankle, and the way that I came back from that playing such a great tournament, great matches.”
Later in the day, the player coached by Juan Carlos Ferrero took to social media to announce his withdrawal from the Rolex Shanghai Masters, citing recent physical issues.
“After discussing it with my team, we believe the best decision is to rest and recover,” he shared.