Japan Open 2026, Tokyo - ATP 500

britbox

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DATE: 30 September - 6 October, 2026
SURFACE: Hard
PRIZE MONEY: $2,342,275
FIELD SIZE: 32
2025 CHAMPION: Carlos Alacaraz

Seeds and Draw

1 Alcaraz, Carlos
2 Tiafoe, Frances
3 Fritz, Taylor
4 Jodar, Rafael
5 Nakashima, Brandon
6 Ruud, Casper
7 Paul, Tommy
8 Vacherot, Valentin

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The Japan Open
The Japan Open Tennis Championships is the longest-running ATP Tour tournament in Asia and one of the most prestigious events on the autumn hard-court calendar. First held in 1972, the ATP 500 tournament has become a cornerstone of the Asian swing, attracting many of the world's top players as they compete for valuable ranking points in the closing stages of the season.

Ariake_Coliseum_20220919a9.jpg

江戸村のとくぞう, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The tournament is staged at the impressive Ariake Coliseum, part of the expansive Ariake Tennis Park. The venue features 48 tennis courts and one of the first retractable-roof stadiums in professional tennis, ensuring uninterrupted play while providing a comfortable experience for players and spectators alike. The main stadium has a capacity of approximately 10,000 spectators, creating an intimate yet vibrant atmosphere for the tournament's biggest matches.

The Japan Open has witnessed countless memorable performances throughout its history. Home favourite Kei Nishikori thrilled local fans by capturing the title in 2012 and 2014, becoming one of the tournament's most celebrated champions and helping inspire a new generation of Japanese tennis players.

Played on outdoor hard courts, the Japan Open rewards aggressive baseline play, athletic movement, and tactical versatility. Combined with outstanding facilities, knowledgeable crowds, and Japan's renowned hospitality, the tournament has earned a reputation as one of the ATP Tour's favourite destinations.

Tokyo
Tokyo is one of the world's most dynamic and fascinating cities, seamlessly blending ancient traditions with cutting-edge technology and modern innovation. As Japan's capital and the world's largest metropolitan area, it offers visitors an extraordinary mix of historic temples, futuristic architecture, world-renowned cuisine, and vibrant neighbourhoods.

Tokyo_Montage_2015.jpg

Hogweard, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

The city is home to iconic landmarks such as the historic Sensō-ji temple in Asakusa, the famous Tokyo Tower, and the soaring Tokyo Skytree, one of the tallest structures in the world. Meanwhile, districts such as Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Ginza showcase Tokyo's energy through dazzling lights, world-class shopping, and an unrivalled culinary scene ranging from traditional sushi bars to Michelin-starred restaurants.

Tokyo is also one of the world's great sporting cities. Having hosted the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games (held in 2021), the city boasts exceptional sporting infrastructure, including Ariake Tennis Park, which staged the Olympic tennis competition and continues to host the Japan Open.

Despite its immense size, Tokyo offers an abundance of peaceful gardens, shrines, and parks, providing moments of tranquillity amid the bustling metropolis. This unique balance of tradition and innovation makes it one of the world's most rewarding destinations.

For players and fans alike, the Japan Open offers the opportunity to experience elite tennis in one of the planet's most exciting cities. Tokyo's remarkable combination of culture, hospitality, and technological excellence provides a fitting backdrop for Asia's longest-running ATP Tour event.

Src: ChatGPT

Tokyo Tourism

 
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britbox

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britbox

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Bookies favour Carlito heavily here:

PlayerOdds
Carlos Alcaraz1.80
Taylor Fritz8.36
Frances Tiafoe10.86
Rafael Jodar12.86
Brandon Nakashima16.86
Tommy Paul20.86
Jiri Lehecka22.29
Casper Ruud26.29
Alex Michelsen28.86
Alejandro Davidovich Fokina28.86
 

britbox

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Fils and Tsitsipas come through the Qualifiers.

Fils will play Etcheverry and Tsitsipas will play Van Assche. Vallejo and Minaur are the other qualifiers to complete the field.
 

MargaretMcAleer

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Fils and Tsitsipas come through the Qualifiers.

Fils will play Etcheverry and Tsitsipas will play Van Assche. Vallejo and Minaur are the other qualifiers to complete the field.
Fils failed to make the deadline for entry the reason why he had to play qualies, a hard lesson learnt :)
 

MargaretMcAleer

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Musetti withdrew he fractured his right finger in practice, just a woeful year of injuries for Lorenzo, the off season cant come quick enough for the Italian
LL Jaime Faria replaces Musetti and will play British Arthur Frey in the first round match
 
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El Dude

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Musetti has really crashed out, with Cobolli wrestling the crown of "The Other Italian" from him.
 
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MargaretMcAleer

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And with that, Kei Nishikori has played his final tennis match on the ATP Tour, Frances Tiafoe defeating Nishikori 64 64
Arigato Kei Nishikori

Former world no 4
12 singles titles
2016 Olympic Bronze Medal
2014 USO Open Finalist
4 Masters 1000 finals
6 ATP 500 titles

A true Icon for Asian Tennis!
 

britbox

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And with that, Kei Nishikori has played his final tennis match on the ATP Tour, Frances Tiafoe defeating Nishikori 64 64
Arigato Kei Nishikori

Former world no 4
12 singles titles
2016 Olympic Bronze Medal
2014 USO Open Finalist
4 Masters 1000 finals
6 ATP 500 titles

A true Icon for Asian Tennis!

A video collage of Nishikori moments from Tennis TV.

Another of the older guard coming to the end.

 

MargaretMcAleer

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A lot of the seeds that went out on day 1 probably some of them suffering the short turn around for playing the Laver Cup
 

MargaretMcAleer

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I need to bring this up, for the life of me why does Jodar's shoe laces keep coming undone, it reminds me of Tsitsipas years back when his shoe issues, ( shoe laces) frequently happened during critical pressure points in matches, so much so his opponents and fans sometimes accused him of deliberate gamesmanship or stalling to break momentum, Stef insisted it was a genuine equipment malfunction and Addidas redesign and modify his shoes after he suffered repeated shoelace breakages during matches
This has been an ongoing problem with Jodar who also wears Addidas shoes, fans have also accused him of gamesmanship or stalling in matches at critical times, Jodar has also brought with him extra shoes, same thing happens with the shoe lace, he appears to drag his foot, at times across a hard court
I suggest he goes back to Addidas like Tsitsipas and get them to re design.modify his shoe, ASAP! it happened in his first round match again, against Daniel Vallejo who defeated him 61 63
 
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britbox

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Tokyo Days 3 & 4



Good win for Qualifier Fils over #2 seed Tiafoe. 6-3 7-5
Vacherot defeats Tsitsitsiaps 4-6 7-6 6-4
Jacquet d. Darderi 6-3 7-6



Alcaraz d. Arnaldi 7-6 6-1
 

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Tokyo QFs



Shapo should probably have won the first set against Carlos. Carlito turns it round and Shapo retires early in the second. Vacherot edge Fils in 3.
 
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don_fabio

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Vacherot is peaking again in Asia. So fun to watch that guy. He is top 10 level when injury free.
 
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