Carlos Alcaraz added another glittering chapter to his 2025 campaign by capturing the Japan Open in Tokyo on Tuesday, defeating American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in the final to secure his eighth tour victory of the season. The world No. 1’s triumph not only underlines his dominance this year but also marks a satisfying turnaround after a recent setback to Fritz at the Laver Cup.
Under the roof of Tokyo’s Ariake Coliseum, Alcaraz executed a composed, high-quality performance, breaking Fritz at critical moments and closing out the match with a deft drop shot that left the American with no answer.
The Spaniard’s tally of 67 match wins this season now sits atop the ATP Win/Loss Index, confirming him as the most successful player on tour by that metric.
“This is my best season so far, without a doubt,” Alcaraz said after the victory. “Eight titles, ten finals… that shows how hard I’ve worked just to be able to experience these moments and accomplish my goals.”
He continued, “I didn’t start the year that good, struggling emotionally. So how I came back from that, I’m really proud of myself, and of all the people around me who have helped me to be in this position.”
Alcaraz’s road to the Tokyo crown was not without challenges. In his opening match in Tokyo, he suffered a foot-injury scare and took a medical timeout after jarring his left foot early in the first set. Despite the pain and heavy strapping, he recovered to beat Sebastian Báez in straight sets and kept marching.
In the semifinal, Alcaraz faced Casper Ruud, a seasoned opponent who pressed him hard with varied angles and depth. After losing the first set 3-6, Alcaraz regrouped, adjusting his tactics and taking the next two sets 6-3, 6-4.
He later reflected that in the opening set he had multiple break chances but lacked control. “I had a lot of chances in the first set… I just tried to play with joy again, putting a lot of positive thoughts in my mind,” he said.
Fritz, who had beaten Alcaraz recently in Laver Cup competition, came into the final in strong form. Yet he was hampered by a thigh issue, receiving treatment between sets, and dropped serve at pivotal junctures. In the second set, Alcaraz got an early break, surged to a 4-1 lead, and held firm under pressure to close out the contest.
“It’s been a pleasure to be able to play here in Tokyo in front of Japanese fans. I’ve enjoyed every second I was on the court (apart from) the five minutes I was on the floor after I hurt my ankle,” Alcaraz quipped, acknowledging both the thrill of victory and the physical obstacle he overcame.
The win is especially sweet for Alcaraz in light of his loss to Fritz at the Laver Cup, his first defeat to the American in four meetings. Rather than letting that defeat linger as a cloud, he used it as fuel for vengeance in Tokyo.
Arigato Tokyo!
Getty pic.twitter.com/qBRGxQHSRi
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) September 30, 2025
Beyond the emotional payoff, this title strengthens Alcaraz’s standing in tennis history. With 24 career ATP titles now to his name, he ties Alexander Zverev for the most among players born since 1990.
He also becomes the sixth man in the Open Era to capture at least eight titles in a single season, joining legends such as Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray, and Jannik Sinner, who secured eight in 2024.
Yet while the numbers are remarkable, Alcaraz insists they are byproducts of his approach rather than driving objectives. “Every time that I step on the court, I feel like I can do everything,” he said in Tokyo following his semi triumph over Nakashima. “I’m approaching the end of the season with a lot of confidence and these kinds of matches help a lot to keep the confidence really high.”
His emotional narrative provides further depth to the storyline of his season. In early 2025, Alcaraz underwent a period of inner turbulence, struggling with the pressures and expectations that come with early stardom.
But the arc of his year has seen a transformation: from self-doubt to consistent excellence, from emotional fragility to mental resilience. He responded by collecting major and Masters 1000 titles, reaching 10 finals, and maintaining an enviable level of consistency.