Carlos Alcaraz has taken another major step forward in his comeback from injury, defeating Jiri Lehecka to successfully defend his Japan Open title and claim his first trophy since returning to the tour.
The world No. 3 overcame a strong challenge from the Czech 19th-ranked player, winning 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 in Tuesday’s final at the Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo.
The victory marked Alcaraz’s first title since the Qatar Open in February and came in only his third tournament since returning from a four-month layoff caused by a right wrist injury.
The Spaniard had already shown encouraging signs at the US Open, where he reached the quarter-finals, before helping Team Europe win the Laver Cup last month. However, the Japan Open represented his first opportunity to win a singles title since his return.
Alcaraz admitted he was unsure how quickly he would rediscover his best form after such a long absence.
“A lot of negative thoughts come to your mind, if you’re going to come back healthy, if you’re going to be the same as I was before,” he said.
“I just tried to put those thoughts away all the time.”
Those doubts were put aside in Tokyo, where Alcaraz found ways to win despite admitting that he had not produced his best tennis throughout the week.
“I think at this tournament I was way far from my best level, but in terms of finding solutions and playing the best level that I could in the most important moments, I think it was a great week,” he said.
The final itself was far from straightforward. Lehecka made the stronger start, breaking Alcaraz's serve in the opening game and refusing to give the defending champion much time to settle.
Alcaraz responded with a break of his own midway through the set, then raised the intensity with his powerful groundstrokes. Lehecka continued to stay close, however, forcing the opener into a tiebreak.
Alcaraz held his nerve when it mattered, using a pair of well-timed drop shots to help secure the first set 7-6.
The second set remained competitive, but Alcaraz eventually created the decisive opening with a break midway through the set. He then held his serve to close out the match and secure his 27th career title.
The result also made Alcaraz the first man since Pete Sampras in 1993 and 1994 to win the Tokyo title in consecutive years. He is now unbeaten in 10 matches at the Japan Open.
It was also his third title of 2026, following his Australian Open and Qatar Open triumphs.
Alcaraz will have little time to celebrate, with the Shanghai Masters scheduled to begin on Wednesday. He will enter the tournament carrying renewed confidence after finally turning his return from injury into another ATP title.
The Spaniard also has unfinished business in Shanghai. He withdrew from last year's tournament after winning in Tokyo, citing physical issues and criticizing the demands of the tennis schedule.
For now, though, Alcaraz has achieved exactly what he had been looking for: another trophy, a successful title defence and further evidence that his wrist injury is firmly behind him.
