Alcaraz to defend Japan Open title in Tokyo; main draw Sept 30–Oct 6

Carlos Alcaraz will defend his Japan Open crown in Tokyo at the ATP 500 event, with the main draw scheduled from September 30 to October 6 at Ariake Tennis Forest Park. The 23-year-old faces American Alex Michelsen in the opening round as he bids for a third title of 2026.

Alcaraz arrives in Tokyo after a US Open 2026 quarter-final exit to Ben Shelton, who has since withdrawn from the Japan Open. Last year Alcaraz beat Taylor Fritz in straight sets to win the 2025 Japan Open, and local favourite Kei Nishikori will make his final appearance at the tournament; Nishikori was the last homegrown champion when he won in 2014. Taylor Fritz and Rafael Jodar are listed among the entrants for this year’s event.

Alcaraz began 2026 with titles at the Australian Open and in Doha and is seeking his third trophy of the season in Tokyo. He is seeded to meet Taylor Fritz in the semi-finals if both progress through their sections of the draw. His immediate assignment is Alex Michelsen in round one.

Frances Tiafoe is the No. 2 seed and anchors the bottom half of the men’s singles draw. Tiafoe shares that half with Rafael Jodar, who could meet him in the semi-finals. Jodar is ninth in the PIF ATP Live Race To Turin.

Holger Rune returns from a long injury-related layoff and opens against France’s Kyrian Jacquet in the first round. Rafael Jodar will face Adolfo Daniel Vallejo in his opening match, while Brandon Nakashima meets Ugo Humbert and Jiri Lehecka plays Zizou Bergs in other scheduled first-round encounters. These matchups form part of the round-of-32 schedule that starts the main draw.

Organisers noted Alcaraz’s arrival at the venue on social media with the post: ·. 木下グループジャパンオープン2026 .·#アルカラス 選手が先ほど会場に到着しました🇯🇵✨到着したばかりのアルカラス選手の様子を皆さまにお届けします🎥#kinoshitajotennis #木下JOテニス #ATP500 pic.twitter.com/2rUKR946ZQ The tournament will not feature any Indian players in the singles draw. Indian viewers can watch the Japan Open live on FanCode, with Tennis Channel providing coverage in the United States and Sky UK in the United Kingdom.

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