Alcaraz, after having a bad time in Tokyo: “It was very difficult to play, it has happened to all of us who played the Laver Cup”

Carlos Alcaraz He gritted his teeth, he applied himself seriously to save one of those days in which the sensations do not accompany him. If also the rival, the American Alex Michelsenis significant, the problems multiply to move forward in the defense of the ATP 500 title in Tokyo, which began by winning 7-6 (1), 4-6 and 6-1.

The man from Murcia acknowledged that he had had a very bad time on his return to the Japanese capital, especially considering that on Sunday he was on another continent, in London, closing the Laver Cup.

“The same thing has happened to the players who played in the Laver Cup and have come here, since we arrived quite late,” he said as an explanation. Carlos Alcarazwho had previously seen from the players’ room how Taylor Fritzhis victim in the 2025 final, had given in to the Mallorcan Jaume Munar.

“When we arrived in Tokyo it was raining, we had to train indoors. Today, outdoors, it was difficult to play with so much humidity, heat and totally different playing conditions. It was very difficult to manage all of this,” said the tennis player from El Palmar.

“It was slower than indoors. It frustrated me that I couldn’t play with my style, with aggression, since the ball didn’t allow it. I got through it, now I understand more how I should approach the next games,” he said. He doesn’t play this Friday, he will play on Saturday against the Italian Matteo Arnaldi.

Given the lack of sensations, “give the best of myself at that moment. Adjust the game to what the day asked for. I didn’t feel the ball as I would have liked, I didn’t have those sensations, I didn’t find my best version, but I will have more opportunities to adapt better,” concluded the Murcian, first seed in the competition draw.