Carlos Alcaraz admitted he is still some way from reaching the level he wants after advancing to the Japan Open 2026 semifinals on Sunday, while describing Denis Shapovalov’s injury retirement as an unfortunate way to reach the last four.
The defending champion was leading Shapovalov 7-6(3), 2-1 in their quarterfinal when the Canadian was forced to retire after suffering an injury to his upper right thigh at the start of the second set. The match lasted 82 minutes.
Alcaraz had been made to work throughout the opening set, with Shapovalov taking a 5-3 lead and earning a set point at 5-4. The Spaniard saved the opportunity and eventually took the set in a tiebreak.
But the second set ended abruptly after Shapovalov received treatment and was unable to continue.
Carlos Alcaraz: “It’s Far From Where I Want to Be”
The result gave Alcaraz another semifinal appearance in Tokyo, but the four-time Grand Slam champion was not shy about assessing his own level after returning from a lengthy wrist injury.
“Well I think I’m gonna say way far. It’s far from where I want to be,” Alcaraz said when asked where he believes his level currently stands.
“But I’m doing great things on the court. I’m practicing well. I’m trying to do everything when I’m playing matches. Because it’s so different, competition and practices. You gotta find a way.”
Alcaraz said he was nevertheless pleased with how he was performing and, in particular, with how he felt on court.
“I’m happy with the way that I’m playing. Happy with how I’m feeling on court,” he said.
🎙️ Carlos Alcaraz fala sobre sua atuação e lamenta a desistência de Denis Shapovalov nas quartas de final. ⁉️Carlos, parabéns. Foi uma pena o Denis ter precisado abandonar, porque estava sendo uma partida muito divertida. O que você estava pensando? Houve muitos altos e baixos novamente nesse primeiro set. “Sim, foi um pouco frustrante comigo mesmo. Eu não consegui encontrar uma boa forma de sacar, tive dificuldades praticamente em todos os meus games de saque. Mas estou feliz com a forma como consegui voltar depois de cada quebra. Então, acho que foi um ótimo primeiro set, com grandes pontos e ótimas trocas de bola. Acho que nós dois estávamos batendo muito bem na bola do fundo de quadra. E, como você disse, é uma pena que ele tenha precisado abandonar. E passar para uma semifinal dessa maneira não é como eu queria. Mas, às vezes, o esporte é difícil e você precisa aceitar. Só espero que ele fique bem, que não seja nada sério. Espero que ele consiga jogar em Xangai saudável e voltar a aproveitar os jogos do Denis. ” (atp tour)
— Carlos Alcaraz Brasil (@carlosalcarazbr) October 4, 2026
The Spaniard is playing only his third tournament since returning from his injury. He reached the US Open quarterfinals before making his return to the Japan Open, where he is defending the title he won last year.
Alcaraz Unhappy With How He Reached Japan Open 2026 Semifinal
There was also disappointment for Alcaraz despite progressing. The 23-year-old said he did not want to reach the semifinal in this manner after Shapovalov was forced to stop playing.
“It’s a shame he had to retire. Advancing to a semi-final like this is not how I wanted to do it, but sometimes sports are tough,” Alcaraz said after the match.
Alcaraz also showed his support for his opponent by writing “Be back soon Denis” on the camera lens following the retirement.
The gesture came after what had been a competitive opening set, with Shapovalov repeatedly testing the Spaniard before his injury brought the contest to an unexpected end.
Alcaraz will now face fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar in Monday’s semifinal.
“Hopefully the tournaments and matches I have ahead are gonna be a great test for me,” Alcaraz said. “I’m gonna try to use it to get better and feel better on court.”
