‘It’s been a while’: Carlos Alcaraz becomes first player since Pete Sampras to retain Japan Open

Carlos Alcaraz poses with the ball kids and the trophy after winning the final against Czech Jiří Lehecký. (Photo by Reuters) Carlos Alcaraz capped a successful comeback from a long injury layoff by retaining his Japan Open title on Tuesday, defeating unseeded Czech Jiří Lehečka 7-6(4), 6-4 in the final.The Spaniard, who once again endured a slow start, eventually found his rhythm and claimed his third title of the year and 27th overall. The ATP 500 triumph came in just his second tournament since returning from a wrist injury that sidelined him for almost five months.Alcaraz returned to the US Open at the end of August and has now quickly rediscovered his winning touch. He previously won the Australian Open and Qatar Open this year.

Alcaraz overcomes slow start to retain title

The world No. 3 started the final nervously, dropping serve in the opening game, but quickly settled and increased the intensity. He broke world number 19 Lehecká with a strong backhand to tie the first set at 3:3 and gradually dominated the match.The Czech kept up the pressure on Alcaraz and capitalized on some uncharacteristic errors in the tiebreak, but the Spaniard responded with a stunning drop shot to close out the opening set 7-4 in the tiebreak.Alcaraz then took control midway through the second set and broke Lehecka to move ahead 4-3. He capped off the win by forcing a game-tying error before ecstatically celebrating with his team on the court.The title made Alcaraz the first player since American great Pete Sampras in 1993-94 to win the Japan Open in consecutive years. More importantly, it provided another confidence boost after the uncertainty of his injury-enforced absence.“I’m really happy to lift the trophy again,” Alcaraz said. “It’s been a while and of course it’s extra special after my injury and my comeback in the second tournament I’m playing.“It was a really tough week and I didn’t play my best tennis and my best level, but I found good solutions and that’s what matters in the end.”

“You have a lot of negative thoughts”

Alcaraz admitted that his injury layoff brought a lot of uncertainty about whether he would be able to return to his previous level. Winning the title so soon after his comeback helped him put those fears to rest.“You have a lot of negative thoughts,” Alcaraz added.“If you come back healthy, if you come back the same as before, if I’m able to hit the ball normally without pain. I believed in myself and it worked out.”The 23-year-old will now focus on the Shanghai Masters, where he will face Juan Manuel Cerundola or a qualifier in his opening match. The ATP 1000 main draw begins on Wednesday and Alcaraz is carrying the momentum of his successful title defense in Tokyo into the next phase of his comeback.