“I have the best physio in the world”: Carlos Alcaraz credits physio after Japan Open victory

Carlos Alcaraz continues to navigate Tokyo with both brilliance and resilience. Just days after sparking concern when he twisted his ankle during his Japan Open opener against Sebastián Báez, the World No. 1 has sent a fresh message of reassurance. The Spaniard overcame Zizou Bergs 6-4, 6-3 in the third round, advancing with confidence despite the lingering discomfort in his ankle.

The victory was not only another step forward in his Asian swing, but also proof of how quickly his team managed to stabilise the situation. After falling awkwardly in his first match and leaving the crowd stunned, there were doubts about whether he would even continue in the tournament. Alcaraz himself admitted his ankle was painful, and the following day was labelled “key” to determining his participation. That extra time for treatment became decisive, with the 22-year-old able to recover sufficiently before taking the court against Bergs.

Still, the win was far from automatic. The Spaniard revealed after the match that while he could compete at a high level, the fear of aggravating the injury never truly left him. The ankle held up under pressure, but moments of hesitation surfaced throughout the contest, especially during explosive changes of direction and quick sprints. Yet, the world No. 1 once again showcased his mental fortitude by pushing through the doubts and finding solutions in real time.

The most striking part of his reflection, however, was not about his own grit, but about the team around him. In particular, Alcaraz gave heartfelt credit to his physio for what he described as a phenomenal job in keeping him fit enough to perform. His words highlighted the trust he places in his staff, suggesting that his presence in the quarterfinals is as much a triumph of collective effort as individual skill.

“Honestly, it has been tough. For me it was very important to have the day I had yesterday, to count on that extra time to recover my ankle as best as I could,” Alcaraz said after the match. “I’ve said it before in the past and I’ll say it again now: I have the best physio in the world (laughs). I trust him 100%, and that’s also very important when something like this happens to you. Having him with me at this tournament has been a key factor. The way he treated the injury in these last hours has been phenomenal—thanks to him I was able to play.”

The Spaniard admitted that while the ankle felt stable enough to allow him to compete, the sensation of vulnerability never fully disappeared. “In the match I felt a certain normality in terms of competing, although I admit there were several moments where I was a little worried. With certain movements on court, I felt a kind of anxiety about how the ankle would respond under the demands of a match like this. In general, looking at everything in perspective, I can say it was a great match from me. A performance I’m happy with. I played good tennis even while being, in many moments, in the condition of my ankle.”

Alcaraz’s ability to downplay discomfort while still producing high-level tennis is part of what has already set him apart as one of the sport’s brightest stars. The victory against Bergs, following his scare earlier in the week, shows the delicate balance between ambition and caution that top players must master. For the 22-year-old, Tokyo has turned into an early-season test of both his body and his ability to adapt mentally when faced with setbacks.

The support system around Alcaraz has also taken centre stage. In the unforgiving world of professional tennis, recovery and prevention often decide how long a player can remain at the top. His comments serve as a reminder that behind every win lies the tireless work of trainers, physiotherapists, and coaches. It is that partnership which has allowed him to stay on track in Japan and continue chasing success in his first tournament as World No. 1 at ranking level.

Looking ahead, Alcaraz will aim to further settle into the tournament while keeping a close eye on the ankle. Each round provides both a new challenge and an opportunity to gauge his progress. What is clear is that, despite moments of anxiety, the Spaniard has already proven he can perform through adversity—a trait that will serve him well not only in Tokyo, but across the demanding Asian swing and beyond.