As the lush green courts of the Queen’s Club prepare to host the 2025 HSBC Championships, all eyes are on Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, who is set to launch his grass-court campaign against compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off a grueling five-set triumph over Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros, arrives in London with sky-high expectations. However, his co-coach, Samuel Lopez, has issued a sobering reminder of the challenges awaiting the world No. 2 as he transitions from clay to grass. With Wimbledon’s third consecutive title in his sights, Alcaraz’s journey at Queen’s is poised to be a pivotal chapter in his 2025 season.
Lopez, who joined Alcaraz’s team in December 2024 to work alongside head coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, brings a wealth of experience from his time coaching Ferrero and Pablo Carreño Busta. Speaking ahead of Alcaraz’s opening match, Lopez emphasized the difficulty of adapting to grass after an intense clay-court season. “Carlos must understand and accept that this won’t be easy,” Lopez cautioned, highlighting the unique demands of grass-court tennis. “There’s little time to prepare, but we’re taking this as an adaptation to the grass. The more matches we win here, the better. The goal for a player like him is to come to tournaments to win, but it’s crucial to focus on preparation and sensations on this new surface.” His words underscore the delicate balance Alcaraz must strike between ambition and adjustment.
Alcaraz’s history at Queen’s adds intrigue to his 2025 campaign. In 2023, he stormed to the title on his debut, defeating Alex de Minaur in a commanding 6-4, 6-4 final, a victory that propelled him back to world No. 1 and fueled his first Wimbledon triumph. “Lifting the title two years ago is what gave me the belief to go on and win Wimbledon for the first time,” Alcaraz reflected, his enthusiasm palpable. “I can’t wait to get back on the grass at The Queen’s Club next summer. I’m ready to give it my all to try and win another trophy.” Yet, last year’s tournament brought a reality check when British No. 1 Jack Draper stunned him in the second round, a rare grass-court defeat that only sharpened Alcaraz’s resolve as he went on to defend his Wimbledon crown.
The Queen’s Club Championships, running from June 16-22, 2025, mark a critical juncture in Alcaraz’s quest to solidify his grass-court legacy. His 6-1 record at the ATP 500 event reflects his rapid adaptation to the surface, despite limited experience compared to clay or hard courts. This year’s draw is formidable, with Alcaraz seeded to face Ben Shelton in the quarter-finals and potentially Holger Rune or Jakub Mensik in the semi-finals. Lopez remains optimistic, noting, “We’re well prepared, and Carlos has good memories from last year. Playing real matches is essential to speeding up the adaptation process.” The coach’s confidence stems from Alcaraz’s recent practice sessions, where he was seen honing his serve and indulging in lighthearted “tennis golf” drills, a sign of his relaxed yet focused mindset.
Beyond Alcaraz, the Queen’s field is stacked with talent. Second seed Jack Draper, who toppled Alcaraz in 2024, opens against Jenson Brooksby, while third seed Taylor Fritz and fifth seed Alex de Minaur lurk in the bottom half. The absence of last year’s finalists Tommy Paul and Lorenzo Musetti, sidelined by injuries, elevates Alcaraz’s status as the player to beat. “I want to join amazing players like Andy Murray, Feliciano Lopez, and Andy Roddick in winning this title multiple times,” Alcaraz declared, his ambition to etch his name among Queen’s Club legends clear.
Lopez’s guidance will be crucial as Alcaraz navigates this transition. Having coached Alcaraz at Queen’s in 2023 and the 2024 Australian Open, Lopez understands the young star’s game intimately. His emphasis on mental clarity and routines has already borne fruit, with Alcaraz securing titles in Rotterdam and Monte Carlo earlier this year. “We’ve put a lot of emphasis on him being himself,” Lopez said, reflecting on their pre-season goals. “It’s about building Carlos Alcaraz, helping him know himself more and more.” As Alcaraz steps onto the Queen’s Club courts, Lopez’s warning serves as both a challenge and a rallying cry: embrace the difficulty, seize the moment, and pave the way for another Wimbledon triumph.
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