Carlos Alcaraz talks to the press after his win against Taylor Fritz in Japan Open 2025 Final | Image Credits: IMAGO/ ZUMA Press Wire
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the 2025 Japan Open final, winning his first Japan Open title and adding yet another title to his trophy cabinet.
After a bit of a tight affair in the first set, Alcaraz was determined to finish off the proceedings early as he raced into a 5-1 lead in the second set. But the American remained in the game and gave his best to win three games on the bounce and make it 5-4, setting up a tense finale.
Showcasing the perfect mix of power shots, lobs, and drop shots throughout the game, Alcaraz stepped it up a notch and won the championship with two consecutive drop shots, with Fritz running out of steam at the business end of the tournament.
Looking back on some tough moments from the Japan Open, Alcaraz opened up on his experience when it seemed like he wouldn’t be able to continue participating in the 2025 edition, but the Spaniard ultimately bounced back to win his eighth title of the calendar year.
Alcaraz said, “I enjoy every single second when I step on the court, probably except the five minutes that I was on the floor after hurting my ankle. 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, such great matches, I'm just really, really happy about it.”
Talking about the final in particular, Alcaraz felt that the first set was tennis of the highest level, and the Spaniard also exclaimed that he feels proud to put his name on the trophy.
He said, “I think the first set was really tough for me. I think that the level of tennis from the first set was really high for both players. So really happy to play such good tennis today when it matters. I know that a lot of great players have won this trophy before, great legends, so putting my name on the trophy next to those players for me, it's a privilege, it is an honor.”
Alcaraz has had a brilliant season in 2025, winning eight titles and joining an elite list of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, and Jannik Sinner, who have also won eight or more titles in a single calendar year.
Reflecting on the same, the World No.1 exclaimed, “I didn't start the year as well as I wanted. Winning the title back in Rotterdam was good for me, but losses in Indian Wells and Miami were really tough to deal with for me. I was struggling mentally and emotionally at the beginning of the year, and that’s one of the reasons that I am so proud of myself.
Carlos Alcaraz showboats the Japan Open trophy after winning the final | Image Credits: IMAGO/ ZUMA Press Wire
The 22-year old continued, “To bounce back from such a situation, to enjoy and to have fun on the court playing such great tennis, and right now mentally I'm just feeling really good. I think that is one of the reasons that I'm having such a great year and season so far. The people who have been around to helped me to be in this position right now. The season so far, as I said, has been my best season so far, without a doubt, eight titles, 10 finals. So that means how hard I worked just to be able to experience these moments and accomplish my goals from the beginning of the year.”
Speaking about the importance of mental health and regular breaks in the schedule, Alcaraz also said that while he enjoyed his time in Japan, he might end up skipping a few mandatory tournaments to keep himself in good physical and mental shape.
The 2025 Japan Open winner revealed, “Well, I think that the schedule is super tight. They have to do something about the schedule. I think there are too many mandatory tournaments in a row. We have to play Masters, 1000s, 500s, and other tournaments, but there are too many rules that the tennis players are not allowed to have a choice to play or not. I have to consider in the future if I have to skip some mandatory tournaments just to maintain my physical conditions and be in good shape. Mentally, it is really demanding as well, playing so many mandatory tournaments in a row without the time to rest up. So yeah, I will consider skipping some mandatory tournaments just to benefit myself mentally.”
