Alcaraz, a reed that bends but does not break
Spanish tennis player suffered an ankle twist that set off alarms, but ended up defeating Báez convincingly in his debut in Tokyo.
Danger can lurk in the most unexpected moment and place. This is what Carlos Alcaraz experienced during his debut at the ATP 500 Tokyo 2025, facing a significant scare with an ankle twist that, in the end, did not limit the Spaniard as much as it seemed. In fact, his tennis ended up being outstanding, winning 6-4 6-2 against Sebastián Báez.
Few things are more emblematic of Japan than the reed, a millennia-old plant that bends in the face of any adversity, showcasing great flexibility to avoid breaking. This type of resilience against obstacles is what Carlos Alcaraz shows, and at the ATP 500 Tokyo 2025, the danger was not in a sporting sense from Sebastián Báez, but in the form of injury. His ankle twisted, but he withstood the challenge to eventually witness a great performance from the Murcian, advancing to the second round with the uncertainty of how he will respond to the discomfort once he has cooled down.
Everything seemed fine in the initial moments of the first set, with Carlos starting strong and earning the first break more due to his reputation than the game displayed. His forehand was not quite working well, allowing Báez to level the playing field. At 2-2 on the scoreboard, the huge scare occurred for the Spaniard, twisting his ankle triggering all alarms. After being treated by the doctor and noticing the pain decreasing, the world number 1 managed the situation perfectly.
- Alcaraz finished the match playing great tennis and without limitations in his movements
While he did experience some pain in certain situations, as he revealed in a conversation with his team, he was not restricted in his movements. This unexpected event led him to free up his arm, increase his aggressiveness and concentration, ultimately leaving Báez powerless as he conceded his service in the ninth game.
With the confidence that his ankle would hold up, the second set was straightforward for the Murcian. He displayed his best form, producing winning shots from all positions, impossible drop shots, volleys of impeccable aesthetics, and, overall, a generous serving of his spectacular tennis. Sebastián Báez could barely put up a fight as Carlos Alcaraz sealed the victory and started thinking about how his ankle would respond in a few hours. He remains alive in the ATP 500 Tokyo 2025, bending but not breaking.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz, un junco que se dobla pero no se rompe