Fans of Carlos Alcaraz waited with bated breath after the Spaniard fell to the court during his first-round match at the Japan Open.
Just four games into his match against Sebastian Baez, Alcaraz lay down on the court, appearing to have injured his ankle.
However, after receiving some treatment on court from his medical team, the Spaniard continued to play.
He would eventually defeat his Argentine opponent, 6-4, 6-2, before admitting that the injury had ‘scared’ him.
This was a stark warning for Alcaraz, who may need to consider making a change in the future.
Carlos Alcaraz has been given a warning about his schedule
Carlos Alcaraz has played an almighty amount of ATP tournaments in 2025.
The Spaniard has competed in 16 tournaments [including the Laver Cup], playing 70 matches at the ATP level.
Taylor Fritz, who has not had an extended period of absence from the sport this season – unlike Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner – has only played 60 matches.
In fact, no player in the ATP top 10 has played more singles matches than Carlos Alcaraz this year.
Before the end of the year, the Spaniard could also compete in the Shanghai Masters, Paris Masters, ATP Finals and Davis Cup Finals.
Moreover, Alcaraz is expected to participate in two exhibition events before 2026: the ‘Six Kings Slam’ in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and ‘A Racquet At The Rock’ in New Jersey, USA.
On Thursday, Alcaraz’s participation in a third 2025 exhibition event was confirmed: the Miami Invitational in Florida, USA.
The Spaniard’s schedule is hectic, and his injury scare – which occurred when pushing off his left foot – may be the warning he needs to slow down his schedule and take longer periods of recovery.
Carlos Alcaraz’s next opponent in Japan
Carlos Alcaraz faces a Belgian opponent after defeating Sebastian Baez in the Japan Open first round.
The Spaniard will play Zizou Bergs, who defeated Chengdu Open champion Alejandro Tabilo 1-6, 7-6, 7-6.
Alcaraz and Bergs have never played each other before on the ATP Tour.
The winner of Alcaraz and Bergs will face Brandon Nakashima or Marton Fucsovics in the quarter-finals.
Fucsovics stunned Frances Tiafoe in his opening match, while Nakashima came through a marathon contest against Jordan Thompson.
