TOKYO — Carlos Alcaraz secured his spot in the quarterfinals of the Japan Open with a commendable 6-4, 6-3 triumph over Zizou Bergs on Saturday. Following the match, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to his physiotherapist after grappling with an ankle injury.
The world’s top player had a concerning moment when he landed awkwardly on his left ankle during his opener on Thursday, leaving him uncertain about his condition heading into the match against Bergs.
Despite his worries, Alcaraz performed impressively, declaring that he was able to “play normally,” and is now set to face Brandon Nakashima from the United States in the next round.
“It was a challenging period, and the last day and a half were crucial for my recovery,” Alcaraz reflected when questioned about his ankle. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: I have the best physio in the world, and I trust him completely.
“The work he has done on my ankle has been fantastic. Being able to play normally is incredible. At times, I was concerned about specific movements when I felt the ankle, but overall, I delivered some excellent tennis today, and it was a great match.”
