Carlos Alcaraz rages during Taylor Fritz showdown in rare angry outburst

Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz let his emotions out at the chair umpire in Japan after he was given a time violation during the final against Taylor Fritz

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World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz responded from his shock Laver Cup defeat to Taylor Fritz by ousting the American in the 2025 Japan Open championship final 6-4, 6-4 in his quest to finish the year ranked No. 1.

The match didn't come without controversy. The 22-year-old Spaniard, after being handed a time violation, lost his cool towards the chair umpire.

"Do you think it's normal that I finish a long point at the net and then barely have time to go for the balls, with no time to rest?" Alcaraz barked.

Cameras failed to capture the umpire's response. Alcaraz, the 2025 US Open Champion, let him hear it. "Do you think it's normal or not? OK, you've never played tennis in your life," he said.

Aside from this minor infraction, 2025 has been a banner year for the tennis prodigy.

His win in Tokyo gave him an eighth annual championship, and Alcaraz looks primed to finish a calendar year ranked No. 1 in the world for the first time.

He certainly thinks so. "It’s been my best season so far without a doubt,” Alcaraz said after his win over Fritz.

“Eight titles, 10 finals… That shows how hard I’ve worked just to be able to experience these moments and accomplish my goals."

"I didn’t start the year that well (losing early at the Australian Open), struggling emotionally, so how I came back from that, I’m just really proud of myself, and of all the people around me who have helped me to be in this position.”

“I enjoyed every single second, [apart from] the five minutes I was on the floor after I hurt my ankle,” he added.

“I’m really happy with the level that I played, with everything. Starting the week not good with the ankle, and the way that I came back from that, I’m just really happy about it.”

While Alcaraz certainly hopes to finish 2025 ranked No. 1, he is also realistic about his body. His ankle injury led him to withdraw from the upcoming Shanghai Masters.

"Unfortunately, I've been struggling with some physical issues and, after discussing with my team, we believe the best decision is to rest and recover," he wrote on Instagram, confirming the news.

Alcaraz's main rival, Jannik Sinner, is through to the final of the China Open after knocking off top Australian player Alex de Minaur 6-3, 4-6, 6-2.