Carlos Alcaraz continued his stellar 2025 season by capturing his eighth ATP title at the ATP 500 event in Tokyo. World no. 1 conquered the Japanese capital from the first visit, although everything could have been different!
The 22-year-old overcame an early setback following an ankle injury in the first match against Sebastian Baez. The El Palmar native showed his trademark resilience and continued, with his physio Juanjo Moreno stepping onto the scene.
Juanjo worked hard to fix the issue and allow Carlos to compete two days later. The young gun felt well by the end of the tournament, moving freely and lifting another trophy during his career-best run.
Carlos Alcaraz with the ball kids after winning his maiden title in Tokyo 🤝
You can feel the good vibes through the video ✌️ 🥹 pic.twitter.com/uX6rrzeYyT
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) September 30, 2025
Alcaraz twisted his left ankle in the fifth game of his Tokyo campaign! World no. 1 fell to the ground with a painful grimace, raising concerns about his ability to continue.
However, he felt better after a medical timeout, although the real work awaited after the match. Luckily, the 22-year-old had a day off, and Moreno had enough time to treat his ankle and prepare his player for the next duel.
Carlos lost a set against Casper Ruud in the semi-final but felt well physically, enduring the efforts and conquering his 24th ATP trophy. During his winning ceremony speech, the young gun expressed deep appreciation for his team's efforts throughout the week.
He particularly highlighted the vital role of his physio, who kept him fit and ready to compete at the highest level. The Tokyo triumph reinforced Alcaraz's reputation for toughness and adaptability.
Carlos Alcaraz, Tokyo 2025© Stream screenshot
It also brought him one step closer to finishing the year as the undisputed best player in the world ahead of Jannik Sinner. After lifting a trophy, world no. 1 decided to skip the Shanghai Masters.
Thus, he prioritized his body and recovery over another deep run on the notable scene.
"I want to thank my team for this week's hard work. I always say I'm fortunate to have them around me, allowing me to learn from you. However, I want to give a special mention to Juanjo.
His work to keep me in good shape after the ankle twist in the first match has been incredible. Thank you for another incredible week," Carlos Alcaraz said.
