In a decision that has electrified tennis fans worldwide, world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz has confirmed his participation in the 2025 HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club, dispelling doubts about his grass-court preparations following an exhausting Roland Garros triumph. The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off defending his French Open title in a grueling five-set epic against Jannik Sinner, is poised to return to the hallowed lawns of West London from June 16-22, aiming to reclaim the ATP 500 title he won in 2023 and solidify his dominance ahead of Wimbledon. “I can’t wait to get back on the grass at The Queen’s Club next summer,” Alcaraz declared, his enthusiasm signaling a fierce determination to conquer the grass courts once again.
Alcaraz’s journey to this decision was fraught with uncertainty. After his marathon 5-hour, 29-minute Roland Garros final, which marked his fifth Grand Slam title, the young star took a well-deserved break in Ibiza to recharge. His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, initially cast doubt on his Queen’s participation, citing the need to assess Alcaraz’s physical and mental state. “The plan is to play, but we’ll make a final decision in a few days,” Ferrero said, noting that tests would be conducted later in the week to ensure Alcaraz was ready for the rapid transition from clay to grass. “We’re going to Wimbledon with great enthusiasm; Carlos loves playing there,” he added, hinting at the Spaniard’s passion for the grass-court major. Recent updates suggest Alcaraz has passed these evaluations, with sources close to the player affirming his commitment to the tournament, setting the stage for a thrilling return.
The Queen’s Club Championships hold a special place in Alcaraz’s heart. In 2023, he clinched his first grass-court title there, defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 in the final—a victory that propelled him to his maiden Wimbledon crown weeks later against Novak Djokovic. “Lifting the title two years ago is what gave me the belief to go on and win Wimbledon for the first time, so it always means a lot to compete there,” Alcaraz reflected. That triumph marked a turning point, transforming the then-20-year-old, who had limited grass-court experience, into a formidable force on the surface. His 24-3 career record on grass, an 89% win rate, underscores his rapid adaptation, with only one loss in the past two years—a shock second-round defeat to British star Jack Draper at Queen’s in 2024.
That 2024 setback, a 7-6(3), 6-3 loss to Draper, was a rare blemish in Alcaraz’s grass-court dominance. The match, marred by a controversial 25-second serve clock that disrupted his rhythm, fueled his resolve to return stronger. “I’m ready to come back again in 2025 and give it my all to try and win another trophy,” Alcaraz vowed, expressing his ambition to join legends like Andy Murray, Feliciano Lopez, and Andy Roddick as multiple-time Queen’s champions. “I love playing in front of the fans in London, the LTA puts on a great event, and I hope I can have another successful summer in the UK.” His confidence is bolstered by a stellar 2024 season, where he went 53-13, won four titles, including back-to-back French Open and Wimbledon crowns, and finished as world No. 3.
The 2025 Queen’s field promises fierce competition, with defending champion Tommy Paul, former winners Matteo Berrettini and Grigor Dimitrov, and top-10 stars like Taylor Fritz and Lorenzo Musetti set to challenge Alcaraz. Home favorite Draper, now a top-five player after his 2024 breakthrough, looms as a formidable rival, eager to repeat his upset. Yet, Alcaraz’s return is the headline act, with tournament director Jamie Murray hailing the star-studded lineup: “With six of the world’s top ten and four former champions, the tournament continues to attract the biggest players.” The event, which also features a WTA 500 tournament the prior week, marks a historic return of women’s tennis to Queen’s for the first time since 1973.
As Alcaraz gears up for Queen’s, his sights are firmly set on a third consecutive Wimbledon title, a feat achieved by only Björn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic. His 2023 Queen’s victory was the springboard for his first Wimbledon triumph, and despite last year’s early exit, he defended his SW19 crown with a commanding 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) win over Djokovic. With Samuel Lopez coaching him at Queen’s and Ferrero rejoining for Wimbledon, Alcaraz is poised to cement his legacy as a grass-court great, ready to thrill London fans with his explosive athleticism and unrelenting spirit.
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