Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion and World No. 2, launched his grass-court campaign with a hard-fought victory at the 2025 Queen’s Club Championships, overcoming a spirited challenge from Australian lucky loser Adam Walton. The top seed’s 6-4, 7-6(4) triumph on June 17 in London marked his first match since a grueling five-and-a-half-hour Roland Garros final win over Jannik Sinner just nine days earlier. Despite the quick surface transition and an unexpected opponent change, Alcaraz showcased his adaptability and resilience, setting the tone for his Wimbledon title defense.
Alcaraz was originally slated to face compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, but the Spaniard’s last-minute withdrawal due to illness thrust World No. 86 Walton into the spotlight. The Australian, who had already played several grass-court matches in qualifiers, brought confidence and attacking flair to the Andy Murray Arena. “I realized that I was going to play against Adam after my warm-up,” Alcaraz said post-match. “He has played a few matches already before this one. I think he played really great tennis.” The late switch, discovered after a practice session with Jordan Thompson, added an element of surprise, but Alcaraz embraced the challenge with his trademark poise.
The match was a test of Alcaraz’s grass-court reintegration. After a brief Ibiza getaway to recharge from his French Open triumph, the 22-year-old admitted the shift from clay to grass was abrupt. “The start of the tournament is never easy, the first match on grass is never easy to get used to the competition again,” he noted. Yet, his performance belied any rust. Alcaraz broke Walton at 4-3 in the first set, capitalizing on a blistering forehand that forced an error, and sealed the set with an ace, dropping just seven points on serve. His serve-and-volley tactics and deft drop shots, honed from his 2023 Queen’s title run, kept Walton on the defensive.
The second set proved more dramatic. Walton, unfazed by the occasion, raised his first-serve percentage from 46% to 72%, holding serve with ease and applying pressure. At 5-4, he earned two set points on Alcaraz’s serve, threatening to force a decider. “I’m really happy with the performance I had today,” Alcaraz reflected, acknowledging Walton’s tenacity. A clutch wide serve and a bold forehand winner erased the danger, and Alcaraz surged in the tiebreak, securing the only break point at 4-4 before closing with a ripping forehand on match point. The one-hour, 44-minute battle, punctuated by 10 aces, extended Alcaraz’s winning streak to 14 matches, a feat he last achieved in 2023.
The victory underscores Alcaraz’s dominance in 2025, with 38 wins and four titles, including his fifth Grand Slam at Roland Garros. His 6-1 record at Queen’s, where he clinched the 2023 title over Alex de Minaur, positions him as a favorite to reclaim the trophy. “I’m really happy to be back here in London, playing again on grass,” he said, smiling. “I feel great, I feel super happy to be back on grass. It’s a special surface, a special place to me.” His next challenge is Jaume Munar, who advanced after Thompson’s retirement, in a second-round clash on June 19.
The match wasn’t the only drama at Queen’s. British No. 1 Jack Draper thrilled the home crowd with a 6-3, 6-1 rout of Jenson Brooksby, while French qualifier Corentin Moutet stunned third seed Taylor Fritz in a 6-7(5), 7-6(7), 7-5 marathon. Sixth seed Ben Shelton fell to Arthur Rinderknech in a tiebreak-heavy upset, and fifth seed Alex de Minaur was ousted by Jiri Lehecka. Alcaraz’s gritty win, however, stole the headlines, signaling his intent to dominate the grass season. As he eyes a third consecutive Wimbledon crown, this early test against Walton proves his ability to thrive under pressure, even when the odds shift unexpectedly.
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