ATP Tour

Alcaraz says he needs this during Tokyo title defence…

Carlos Alcaraz has a title to defend at the Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships, but the Spaniard arrives in Tokyo looking to continue building his rhythm following a four-month injury layoff earlier this season.

Competing in just his third event since returning to the Tour, the seven-time major champion said he is feeling better with each day on court and is eager to get more matches under his belt.

"It’s getting better. Every practice, every day, I am feeling better and better, which is great," the Spaniard shared in an interview with ATP Media in Tokyo. "I am really looking forward to playing here. I need matches in my bag, I need competition rhythm and to get used to it all again. I am excited about it."

Alcaraz returned to competition at the US Open, reaching the quarter-finals before representing Team Europe at the Laver Cup. The team event gave the former No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings a chance to test his body through the demands of competition.

"The Laver Cup was a great experience. It’s a fun event," said Alcaraz, who competed in both singles and doubles. "Great few days with the best players in the world. I was happy to be a part of it once again. It is a great test. Playing with the best, participating with the best, playing great matches, doubles. It is great testing for my body, which it responded pretty well to, for the next tournaments."

Now in Tokyo, Alcaraz returns to the site of his title run last year, when his path to the trophy was far from straightforward. Early in his opening match at the ATP 500 event, the former World No. 1 rolled his ankle and was unsure whether he could continue. The 23-year-old survived the scare and ultimately went on to lift the trophy by defeating Taylor Fritz in the championship match.

"It was a great run. Obviously, a tricky and challenging one," Alcaraz admitted. "In the first three or four games of the first match, I rolled my ankle. I had doubts about whether I was able to play. Whether I was able to continue playing that match, if I was able to play the next match.

"It was tricky, but in all the challenges that come to me, I am trying to do my best always. I have the best team and the best physio. I did everything to be fit and safe to play well, but I ended up winning the tournament and lifting the trophy."

Alcaraz will begin his Tokyo title defence on Thursday, when he faces recent US Open quarter-finalist Alex Michelsen in the first round.