Carlos Alcaraz won his first title after recovering from a wrist injury, defeating Jiri Lehecka in the final of the Japan Open. The Spaniard registered a 7-6(4), 6-4 win to successfully defend his crown at the hard-court ATP 500 event in Tokyo.
This is the first tour-level trophy for Alcaraz since Doha in February. The youngster was delighted after winning the title in Tokyo.
“I’m really happy to be able to lift a trophy again,” Alcaraz, who did not compete between Barcelona in April and the US Open in late August due to a wrist injury. “It’s been a while, and obviously it is extra special after my injury. My comeback, in the second tournament that I’ve played, lifting a trophy means a lot.
“I’m really happy about it. A tough week. I didn’t find my best level, but I did find the good solutions, and I think that is what matters at the end. Playing the most important points the best you can. I think I did it this week. I would say today was the best match of the week, or at least more consistent, the level that I played.”
Alcaraz admitted there were doubts in his mind when he was out with a wrist injury.
“Obviously a lot of negative thoughts come to your mind,” Alcaraz said, when asked if he ever feared not tasting trophy success again during his time out injured. “If you are going to come back healthy, if you are going to come back the same as I was before. If I will be able to hit the ball normally without pain at all. A lot of thoughts came to my mind, but I tried to put those thoughts away all the time.
“My team and I knew that if I come back I was going to feel 100 per cent. If I feel something, [the comeback is] not going to be anything, so I just have to go full for every shot, every ball, and I trust [my team], I trust myself, and it worked out.”
Alcaraz will look to continue his rich form on the tour.
