Carlos Alcaraz has been knocked out of Queens Championship
Carlos Alcaraz, the young Spanish tennis star, voiced his strong disapproval of a new ATP rule during a press conference following his defeat by Jack Draper at the Queen’s Club Championships.
The new rule, which involves a stricter implementation of the shot clock, has drawn Alcaraz’s ire due to its impact on player routines and match dynamics.
“This new rule is absurd and harmful to the players,” Alcaraz stated, referring to the shot clock starting immediately after a rally ends. “When I finish a point, I don’t even have time to recover the ball to serve.”
This recent change marks a departure from the traditional method where the chair umpire had some discretion over timing.
Alcaraz’s frustration was palpable after experiencing only his third career defeat on grass and his first after thirteen consecutive victories.
The loss to Draper, a rapidly rising British player who recently won his first ATP title in Stuttgart, came as a surprise. Draper not only ended Alcaraz’s winning streak but also knocked him out of the Queen’s Club Championships, an event where Alcaraz had previously triumphed.
During the press conference, Alcaraz emphasized that the new rule disrupts the natural flow of the game.
“I’m not talking about going to get towels, but the fact that we don’t even have time to get the ball after a rally. It’s madness, something I’ve never seen before in this sport,” he explained.
Alcaraz’s sentiments reflect broader concerns within the tennis community about the impact of the new rule on player performance and match quality.
The Spaniard, who enjoyed significant success on grass last year with victories at Queen’s and Wimbledon, will now refocus his efforts on the upcoming Wimbledon tournament.
Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains a dominant force on the ATP Tour. His recent performances have kept him at the forefront of the tennis world, consistently battling with other top players like Jannik Sinner.
