Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz exchange messages on Instagram after Japan Open final

Taylor Fritz was beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Japan Open earlier this week.

Shortly after winning another title, Alcaraz announced he was going to skip the Shanghai Masters and rest up ahead of future tournaments.

Alcaraz struggled with a foot injury during the tournament, and despite beating Fritz in straight sets, he wants to get things right.

Alcaraz sent a message to Fritz after beating him in Tokyo as the Spaniard got retribution for a recent defeat at the Laver Cup.

For the first time since the defeat, Fritz has now responded to Alcaraz on social media.

Taylor Fritz and Carlos Alcaraz exchange messages on Instagram

Fritz has proved humble in defeat once again, and clearly, he feels he’s enjoying a good year even if he’s not been able to beat Alcaraz again in an ATP-level match.

Fritz asked some questions of the schedule without knowing it after he struggled with a thigh problem in the second set of the final against Alcaraz.

However, he’s been nothing but sporting after the defeat and posted a pleasant message to his opponent on social media after the final.

He said: “Thank you, Tokyo and all the fans in Japan, for an incredible week. Congrats to Carlos Alcaraz on another title. Solid week for me here, and happy to make another final. Until next time.”

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Alcaraz came back to Fritz and simply said: “Great week Taylor.”

Alcaraz could now lose his number one spot to Jannik Sinner

With Alcaraz choosing not to play in Shanghai, Sinner could now take his number one mantle away from him.

However, it would only be brief, with Alcaraz on course to finish top of the pile this year if Shanghai proves to be the only tournament he skips.

The battle between Sinner and Alcaraz feels like a solid one already, and given that both players are still in the early stages of their careers, many more quality matches will be on the horizon.

Fritz will have to go back to the drawing board, but this defeat to Alcaraz proves that he’s still as far away as ever from getting over the line and beating the Spaniard in a competitive tour-level match.

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