"I was way far from my best level": Carlos Alcaraz returns to title-winning form without the confidence to go with it..yet
ATP
Carlos Alcaraz has had a season heavily disrupted by injury, but he has managed to find his mojo again at the right time as he sunk Jiri Lehecka 7-6, 6-4 to defend his title at the ATP 500 Hard Court Tournament, the Japan Open.
Alcaraz was kept on his toes throughout by Lehecka, but he managed to find magic when it mattered the most to win his first tour-level trophy since Doha in February.
Asked about his level afterwards, he was pleased with the way he inhabited the final. "The best match of the week, or at least the most consistent one. I think I played great tennis, a great level since the beginning until the last point. "No ups and downs, which for me was great," said Alcaraz in his post-match press conference.
"Everything I've done to be in this position. Everything I've worked for, for this moment. So it just feels even more special.
Carlos Alcaraz wins.
"So I'm just happy and proud and grateful for everything and for this moment. Well, I don't want to take anything for granted, to be honest. I just really want to earn everything."
But Alcaraz also, by his own admission, didn't think he was going to be back so soon to his best. "I didn't know if I was going to win the tournament this soon or if I was going to win a tournament this season. Those are some things that I don't really want to think about, to be honest. I want to arrive at a tournament, give my best, try to play my best, and let's see how the tournament goes."
Not sure on overall form
But while he was delighted with his final display, he was far from at his best so far. He is playing multiple tournaments in the coming weeks, so likely in his view that is to come.
"I think this tournament, I was way far from my best level, I would say. 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. So I'm really happy about it.
"I'm really happy about lifting the trophy in my second official tournament since the injury. And hopefully it's not going to be the last one this season."
But also he passed a tough opponent in Lehecka and said that he had to adapt on the fly to solve the riddle that is the Czech ace. "Someone like Jiri, who tries to attack all the time, puts a lot of pressure on you. With the serve he has, if you go up or down, it generates a little more doubt and uncertainty. Let's say, if you're going to be able to come back.
"That generates a little more pressure. But it's worked very well. Tactically, I think I've played very well.
"Solid when I had to be, aggressive when I had to be. And above all, in important moments, I've played at a very good level, which is the most important thing."
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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