Carlos Alcaraz is seeking to become the first man to defend the Japan Open title since Pete Sampras in 1994.
Alcaraz captured his first Japan Open title on debut at the event, defeating American Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 in last year’s final.
Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have all won the Japan Open title during their respective careers, yet none were able to successfully defend their crown in Tokyo.
Of those three tennis icons, the man who came the closest to doing so was Nadal.
Rafael Nadal’s Japan Open campaigns
Like Alcaraz, Nadal triumphed on debut in the Japanese capital.
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The 22-time major champion and Olympic gold medallist captured his one and only Japan Open title after defeating Gael Monfils in the 2010 final.
“I want to finish the season well and winning titles is a perfect way to finish,” Nadal said after winning 6-1, 7-5.
“It’s difficult to keep winning. I have to enjoy these moments because you never know when they will end.”
Nadal returned to the final a year later, defeating Go Soeda, Milos Raonic, Santiago Giraldo and Mardy Fish.
Nadal was unable to leap over the final hurdle and claim back-to-back Japan Open titles.
Andy Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and former world number one, triumphed 3-6, 6-2, 6-0 over the Spaniard in Tokyo.
“Andy played unbelievable. He deserves the title,” Nadal said afterwards.
“I’ve lost a few sets 6-0 of course. You prefer it doesn’t happen, but he played fantastic and in the third set he started to play at a really high level. Accept. That’s it.”
Nadal never returned to the event after 2011. The Spaniard retired in 2024 after representing Spain at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga.
When will Carlos Alcaraz play his first-round match in Tokyo?
Alcaraz is currently scheduled to play US Open quarter-finalist Alex Michelsen on Thursday at 4pm local time.
For those cheering for Alcaraz in Spain, the match will begin at 9am. For those in California, United States [Michelsen’s home state] the match will take place at 12am on Thursday.
The winner of Alcaraz and Michelsen will play Roland Garros semi-finalist Matteo Arnaldi in the Japan Open second round. Arnaldi defeated wildcard Rei Sakamoto on Wednesday.
Alcaraz has a 2-0 record against the Italian. Michelsen has never played Arnaldi on the Tour.
Whoever advances to the third round will likely face Alejandro Tabilo.
The Chilean demonstrated great form in his first round, comfortably defeating seventh seed Tommy Paul 6-1, 6-2.
If Alcaraz advances to the semi-finals, he will likely play third seed Taylor Fritz or sixth seed Casper Ruud.
