Alcaraz pays back Fritz and takes the Japan Open title

Prime-ranked Carlos Alcaraz beat No. 5 Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 within the Japan Open ultimate on Tuesday (September 30, 2025) for his eighth singles title this yr.

It additionally may very well be Alcaraz’s final match for just a few weeks as he later introduced he’ll skip the Shanghai Masters that opens on Wednesday.

“I have been scuffling with some bodily points and, after discussing with my crew, we imagine the very best resolution is to relaxation and recuperate,” Alcaraz wrote in an Instagram submit.

He injured an ankle within the first spherical however overcame that and dropped just one set in Tokyo.

Alcaraz’s twenty fourth profession singles title was clinched with a deft, sliced drop shot winner and reversed a loss in two units final week to Fritz on the Laver Cup crew occasion.

The Spaniard additionally improved his season report to a tour-best 67-7 as he stayed on the right track for the season-ending No. 1 rating.

“It has been my greatest season to this point indisputably,” Alcaraz mentioned. “That exhibits how exhausting I’ve labored simply to have the ability to expertise these moments and achieve my objectives.”

The ultimate in Tokyo was a ninth straight for Alcaraz since March when he misplaced within the spherical of 64 on the Miami Masters. He’s 7-2 in these finals, certainly one of them at Wimbledon to Jannik Sinner.

“I did not begin the yr that good, struggling emotionally,” Alcaraz acknowledged, “so how I got here again from that, I am simply actually happy with myself, and of all of the individuals round me who’ve helped me to be on this place.”

Fritz took a medical timeout after the primary set for remedy on his left thigh which was strapped throughout a changeover within the second set.