Fresh off a triumphant defense of his French Open title, Carlos Alcaraz, the world’s No. 2 tennis star, has set his sights on the grass courts of London. The 22-year-old Spaniard confirmed his participation in the 2025 Queen’s Club Championships, an ATP 500 event running from June 16 to 22, after a brief but rejuvenating break in Ibiza. Alcaraz, who arrived in London on Saturday, June 14, 2025, is eager to kick off his grass-court season and build momentum toward a potential third consecutive Wimbledon title. “I can’t wait to get back on the grass at The Queen’s Club next summer,” Alcaraz declared, reflecting on the significance of the tournament in his career.
The Queen’s Club Championships hold a special place in Alcaraz’s heart. In 2023, he clinched his first grass-court title at the event, defeating Alex de Minaur in a commanding 6-4, 6-4 final. That victory, his debut at the historic West Kensington venue, sparked a surge of confidence that propelled him to his maiden Wimbledon crown just weeks later. “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,” he said. Despite a surprising second-round loss to British star Jack Draper in 2024, Alcaraz rebounded spectacularly, defending his Wimbledon title against Novak Djokovic in a dazzling display of skill and resilience. His 24-3 grass-court record over the past three seasons underscores his dominance on the surface, with his only loss in that span coming against Draper.
Alcaraz’s journey to Queen’s follows an intense clay-court campaign, culminating in a historic five-set victory over Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros. The marathon final, lasting five hours and 29 minutes, saw Alcaraz save three championship points to secure his fifth Grand Slam title. Exhausted but exhilarated, he took a well-earned three-day retreat to Ibiza, where he unwound with friends and family. “Look, in Ibiza… I’m not going to lie to you. It’s about partying and going out,” Alcaraz admitted in a candid moment featured in the Netflix docuseries *Carlos Alcaraz: My Way*. He credited the brief escape with recharging his batteries, noting, “I made the most of it. On my return, of course, I won at Queen’s and Wimbledon [in 2023]. I’m not saying I won because of the party, but those days did me good.” His coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, initially expressed doubts about the getaway but acknowledged its benefits, emphasizing the importance of a balanced life for the young star.
As Alcaraz prepares for Queen’s, uncertainty lingered briefly about his participation. Ferrero had hinted at a possible withdrawal, stating, “The plan is to play, but we’ll make a final decision in a few days.” After medical check-ups and a return to training in Murcia, Alcaraz confirmed his commitment, arriving in London with coach Samuel López, while Ferrero is set to join him for Wimbledon. “We’re going to Wimbledon with great enthusiasm; Carlos loves playing there,” Ferrero added, highlighting Alcaraz’s affinity for grass. The Spaniard’s decision to compete at Queen’s reflects his strategic approach to Wimbledon preparation, a formula that has yielded back-to-back titles at the All England Club.
The Queen’s Club Championships boast a stacked field, including Taylor Fritz, defending champion Tommy Paul, and home favorite Jack Draper, who stunned Alcaraz last year. Other notable entrants include Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune, and Matteo Berrettini, a two-time champion. Despite the tough competition, Alcaraz remains a top contender, aiming to join legends like Andy Murray and Andy Roddick in winning multiple Queen’s titles. “I want to join amazing players like [Andy] Murray, [Feliciano] Lopez, [Andy] Roddick, etc., in winning this title multiple times, and I’m confident that I can achieve that,” he said. The tournament, part of a historic doubleheader with a WTA 500 event the prior week, promises a thrilling prelude to Wimbledon.
Alcaraz’s return to Queen’s marks another chapter in his meteoric rise. At 21, he became the youngest man to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces and the only player to claim an ATP 500 event on every surface. His 2025 season, already boasting a 37-5 record and titles at the Australian Open, Monte Carlo, and Roland Garros, positions him as a favorite to dominate the grass season. As he steps onto the Andy Murray Arena, named after the British icon, Alcaraz carries the weight of expectations but also the unbridled enthusiasm of a champion in his prime. With Wimbledon looming, the tennis world watches eagerly to see if “Carlitos” can once again weave his magic on grass.
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