2025 Japan Open Tokyo ATP Entry List: Alcaraz, Shelton, Draper & More

After being somewhat overshadowed by last year's China Open, the 2025 Japan Open in Tokyo has responded with a superb entry that will properly rival the competition in Beijing.

The 2024 final was contested between Arthur Fils and Ugo Humbert. Fils defeated his older compatriot 4-6, 7-6, 6-3 in an entertaining and dramatic contest that gave fans inside the stadium value for money.

Despite that match's drama, it received less attention than last year's China Open final between Alcaraz and Sinner, which was one of the best ATP 500 finals ever. Alcaraz ultimately prevailed in a deciding set tiebreak.

Most probably expected Sinner and Alcaraz to play in Beijing once again, especially since the China Open offers more in prize money than the Japan Open each year. Sinner has committed to the 2025 iteration of that event.

However, Alcaraz has altered his schedule. The five-time Grand Slam champion will play in Tokyo instead and be the top seed at the tournament, which is scheduled for September 24th to 30th.

Alcaraz might have been tempted to take a week off before the 2025 Shanghai Masters, which begins immediately after the tournaments in Tokyo and Beijing, because of his commitment to the Laver Cup.

The Spaniard's second appearance at the team event will occur from September 19th to 21st. If Alcaraz reaches the second week in Shanghai, he is guaranteed to play every week from the Laver Cup until the middle of October.

Alcaraz has consistently said the calendar is lengthy and exhausting. It could be argued that he should skip the Laver Cup if he feels that way, but reducing the number of mandatory ATP 500 tournaments for top players to allow more rest would be another idea.

2023 champion Ben Shelton also signed up for this year's Japan Open. The hard courts in Tokyo are usually among the fastest on the ATP Tour, which perfectly suits his huge serve and willingness to come to the net.

Shelton's defeats at this year's Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon were against Alcaraz or Sinner. Only losing against the best players at Grand Slam level and winning the 2025 Canadian Open shows how quickly the American is developing.

Hopefully, Jack Draper is fit for the Japan Open. The 2025 Indian Wells Open winner was forced to withdraw from the US Open with an arm injury, and his estimated recovery time is uncertain.

Holger Rune lost in the second round of the US Open against Jan-Lennard Struff. That was two days after he accused his opening-round opponent of gamesmanship. Rune hopes to bounce back at the Laver Cup and the China Open.

Ruud suffered an even more shocking second-round defeat at the US Open against Raphael Collignon. The Norwegian's dream of winning a Grand Slam is over for another year, and he will focus on the rest of the year, including the Japan Open.

Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz, Denis Shapovalov, Kei Nishikori, Sebastian Korda, and last year's runner-up, Humbert, were among the other players on the Japan Open entry list.