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Carlos Alcaraz gave a “special shout-out” to his long-time physiotherapist Juanjo Moreno after winning the Japan Open title as he recovered from an injury scare in his opening match to win the title in Tokyo.
The World No 1 defeated second seed Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 to win his eighth title of the season and extend his dominant form. But it could have been a very different story after Alcaraz hurt his left ankle in his opening match against Sebastian Baez.
The 22-year-old ignored pleas from his own team to retire from the match and he recovered in time to play his second-round match against Zizou Bergs, calling Moreno “the best physio in the world” for the work he did on his ankle and saving his tournament.
After the six-time grand slam champion Alcaraz overcame an injured Fritz, who received a medical timeout for a left leg problem, Alcaraz said: “My team, I’m always really lucky to have you. Special shout-out to Juanjo after fell on my ankle earlier in the tournament, I’m grateful.”
Alcaraz added: “It’s been a pleasure to be able to play here in Tokyo in front of Japanese fans. I’ve enjoyed every single second I was on the court [apart from] the five minutes I was on the floor after I hurt my ankle.
“I’m really happy with the level that I played and with everything. Starting the week not really good with the ankle, and the way that I came back from that and played a great tournament, great matches.”
Alcaraz had lost his previous match against Fritz at the Laver Cup but came out firing against the big-serving American, blasting several stunning winners in taking a high quality opening set 6-4.
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Alcaraz overturned Fritz’s win at the Laver Cup as he continued his dominant season (REUTERS)
Alcaraz’s level dipped as he faced an ailing Fritz, and he was broken when serving for the title. But Alcaraz found his focus and put away back-to-back drop shots to close out a 6-4 6-4 win against the second seed.
“He’s the best player in the world for a reason and he’s also a great guy,” Fritz said. “I’m happy for the success he’s having.”
Alcaraz continued the best season of his career by joining an elite group of men to win eight titles in a year since 2000, joining his rival Jannik Sinner as well as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.
“It’s been great, my best season so far without a doubt,” Alcaraz said. “I didn’t start the year that good, struggling emotionally, so looking back and how I came back from that, I’m just proud of myself, and of all the people around me who have helped me to be in this position.”