The buzz is palpable in Tokyo as the city prepares to host the 51st edition of the Japan Open Tennis Championships, a tournament steeped in history and tradition. Scheduled from September 24 to September 30, 2025, this ATP 500 event draws some of the biggest names in men’s tennis to the Ariake Coliseum, promising a week packed with high-octane matches, dramatic storylines, and the kind of upsets that keep fans glued to their screens.
As the longest-running ATP Tour event in Asia, first held in 1972, the Japan Open has seen legends like Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Andy Murray hoist the trophy. Local hero Kei Nishikori famously thrilled home crowds with victories in 2012 and 2014. This year, Nishikori returns to the draw as a wild card entrant, and the excitement among Japanese fans is already sky-high. Whenever Nishikori steps onto the court, the stands are sure to erupt with support.
The 2025 edition boasts a star-studded field, headlined by world No. 2 and reigning Roland Garros champion Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard, known for his electric shot-making and relentless energy, is the top seed and widely tipped to go deep in the tournament. Alcaraz skipped Tokyo last year to play the China Open, but his decision to compete in Japan this season has set expectations soaring. As Samuel Gill, Head Editor of TennisUpToDate.com, put it, “Carlos Alcaraz in my mind will continue his form here. He will be joined by a tough field but once you get past certain names, he is the best there.”
Joining Alcaraz is Taylor Fritz, the 2022 Japan Open champion and one of the top-ranked Americans on tour. Fritz’s powerful serve and baseline consistency make him a perennial threat on hard courts. Fellow Americans Frances Tiafoe, Brandon Nakashima, and rising star Alex Michelsen are also in the mix, giving the United States a strong contingent. Canadian Denis Shapovalov, famed for his flashy left-handed game and fiery on-court persona, is another crowd-pleaser expected to ignite the tournament atmosphere.
The field also features Holger Rune, the Danish prodigy who has rapidly climbed the ATP rankings, and Norwegian Casper Ruud, who recently announced he is set to become a father. “Father time either changes a player for better or for worse and it could free him up to play the game he wants to. So that’ll be interesting,” observed Gill. Other notable entrants include Czech talents Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka, Frenchman Ugo Humbert, and Argentine Sebastian Baez.
However, the tournament’s entry list has been shaken by a string of high-profile withdrawals. Ben Shelton, last year’s champion and current world No. 6, will not defend his title after suffering a shoulder injury during the US Open third round against Adrian Mannarino. Shelton’s absence has been felt throughout the tennis world; he also missed the Davis Cup and Laver Cup, and the Japan Open is now added to that list. Jack Draper, another Top 10 player, withdrew after an arm injury forced him to end his season prematurely. Draper’s withdrawal means he will also miss the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh next month, with Stefanos Tsitsipas stepping in as his replacement there.
Jiri Lehecka, who played a crucial role in the Czech Republic’s Davis Cup run, also pulled out of Tokyo, with no official reason provided. His next scheduled appearance is at the Shanghai Masters. Australian Alexei Popyrin, who exited the US Open in the second round against Jannik Sinner, withdrew without explanation. The shake-up didn’t end there: Daniel Altmaier, Marcos Giron, and others have also withdrawn, prompting a flurry of updates to the entry list.
In response, the tournament has welcomed a fresh wave of replacements. Hamad Medjedovic, who fought valiantly in a five-set US Open opener against Daniel Altmaier and reached the Marseille final earlier this year, steps in for Shelton. Marcos Giron, who narrowly missed out on the Tokyo final two years ago, is back in the draw. Daniel Altmaier, whose impressive Flushing Meadows run included wins over Medjedovic and Tsitsipas, takes Lehecka’s spot. Jenson Brooksby, returning from suspension and buoyed by a title in Houston and a final in Eastbourne, replaces Popyrin.
With such a dynamic field, the competition for the $416,365 winner’s purse and 500 ATP points is expected to be fierce. The finalist will take home $224,035 and 330 points, while semi-finalists and quarter-finalists stand to earn $119,395 and $61,000, respectively, along with valuable ranking points. Every round promises not just financial incentives but also crucial momentum as the ATP season races toward its finale.
Wild cards have also been granted to local favorites Shintaro Mochizuki, Yosuke Watanuki, and Yoshihito Nishioka, further fueling home interest. The presence of Nishikori, in particular, is a major draw. The former world No. 4’s return after injury setbacks has been met with enthusiasm, and he remains a symbol of Japanese tennis excellence. With the crowd behind him, Nishikori could well engineer a memorable run.
Predictions for the tournament center on Alcaraz, with experts and fans alike expecting the Spaniard to maintain his blistering form. Taylor Fritz, Holger Rune, and Casper Ruud are also considered strong contenders, while dark horses like Denis Shapovalov and Alex Michelsen could spring surprises. As Gill noted, “Overall I’m mostly picking those from Laver Cup to thrive.”
But if there’s one certainty about the Japan Open, it’s that the tournament rarely goes according to script. The fast courts, passionate crowds, and unpredictable conditions have led to more than a few upsets over the years. Could a local wild card stun the field? Will a replacement entrant seize the opportunity to make a deep run? Or will the favorites hold firm under pressure?
With the action set to get underway, fans in Tokyo and around the world are bracing for a week of drama, athleticism, and unforgettable moments. The Japan Open’s storied history guarantees that every match counts, and with so much on the line, the 2025 edition is shaping up to be one for the ages.
As the first balls are struck and the draw unfolds, all eyes will be on Ariake Coliseum. Whether it’s a blockbuster clash between top seeds or a Cinderella story from an unexpected quarter, the Japan Open never fails to deliver. The journey to crown a new champion—or perhaps welcome back a familiar face—has only just begun.
