Carlos Alcaraz has voiced strong concerns about a controversial new rule being trialed at the Queen’s Club Championships this week, calling it “something bad” for tennis players. The 20-year-old Spaniard, who faced a surprise defeat to home favorite Jack Draper with a score of 7-6(3), 6-3 in their second-round match, struggled to adjust to the regulation change, which contributed to the abrupt end of his title defense. With Wimbledon around the corner, Alcaraz will need to recalibrate his focus and fine-tune his grass-court game.
The contentious rule in question revolves around the 25-second shot clock, which now begins ticking immediately after a point concludes, rather than after the umpire announces the score. The new timing system, being tested at both Queen’s and Halle this week, aims to streamline play, but for Alcaraz and several others, it has raised concerns about the practical impact on their routines. During his match against Draper, Alcaraz was visibly frustrated, seen discussing the rule with umpire Mo Lahyani. After the match, the world No. 2 openly expressed his dissatisfaction with the change.
“He [Lahyani] told me there is a new rule,” Alcaraz explained. “After the point is finished, the clock starts running immediately. For the players, this is something bad. I finished a point at the net and barely had time to ask for the balls.” Alcaraz elaborated that he felt the new rule deprived him of crucial seconds needed to collect himself, follow his serving routine, and regain focus. “I’m not talking about going to the towel or stalling. I simply need to ask for the balls, bounce them a few times, and get ready to serve. Today, I felt like I was in a constant rush.”
The young Spaniard continued, highlighting how such rushed conditions can compromise player performance, particularly after intense points. “Imagine playing a long point or ending at the net,” he said. “The next thing you know, you’re racing to grab the balls with no time to reset mentally. I’ve never seen anything like this in tennis before. It impacts the ability to execute your routine properly, which is vital for concentration.”
The defeat against Draper means that Alcaraz will drop to world No. 3 in the ATP rankings next week, falling behind Novak Djokovic. However, with Djokovic’s participation at Wimbledon still uncertain, Alcaraz may retain a top-two seeding at the prestigious tournament. For now, his focus will shift entirely to preparing for Wimbledon, with his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero scheduled to join him in Britain soon.
“I don’t think I’m going to go back home,” Alcaraz shared when asked about his immediate plans. “To improve on grass, the best option is to stay here, practice with other players, and work on specifics like movement and physical conditioning on this surface. At home in Spain, we don’t have grass courts, so staying close to Wimbledon makes the most sense.”
The talented young player, known for his hard-hitting style and explosive athleticism, is determined to make a strong showing at the All England Club. “I’m going to stay here and focus on training,” he reiterated. “Practicing with other players and doing everything I can to adapt better to grass. I have to discuss the exact schedule with my team, but I’m excited. I don’t know if Juan Carlos is arriving on Sunday or Monday, but I know he’s as eager as I am to get to work.”
Despite the loss at Queen’s, Alcaraz remains optimistic about the upcoming Grand Slam. “I’m hungry to improve and ready to do whatever it takes to get better,” he said. “I’m really excited about Wimbledon. Every title I compete for matters to me, but Wimbledon holds something extra special. I have the time to prepare, and I can’t wait to step onto Centre Court for my first match.”
Alcaraz’s remarks shed light on the challenges posed by the shot clock change and underscore his determination to rise above setbacks. As he prepares for Wimbledon, his commitment to refining his grass-court game and overcoming obstacles will be closely watched by tennis fans worldwide. Whether the new rule ultimately becomes a permanent fixture remains to be seen, but for now, Alcaraz is focused on what he does best—playing world-class tennis and striving to reach new heights.