Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning world No. 2 and five-time Grand Slam champion, brought a dose of humor to the hallowed grass courts of the Queen’s Club Championships, delighting fans with a cheeky response during a lighthearted interview. The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off a commanding 6-4, 7-6(4) victory over Adam Walton to kick off his 2025 grass-court season, participated in a playful “kiss, marry, kill” game hosted by comedian Josh Berry. When asked to choose between tennis titans Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz’s answer—selecting Djokovic as the one he’d “kill” because of last year’s Olympic final loss—ignited laughter and showcased the lingering sting of that Paris defeat, wrapped in his infectious charm.
The HSBC Championships, an ATP 500 event, marks Alcaraz’s transition from the clay of Roland Garros, where he clinched his fifth major title in June 2025 against Jannik Sinner, to the grass of Wimbledon, where he’s won back-to-back titles in 2023 and 2024. His rivalry with Djokovic, one of tennis’ most compelling narratives, has produced unforgettable clashes, including two Wimbledon finals and the 2024 Paris Olympic final, where Djokovic edged Alcaraz 7-6(3), 7-6(2) to claim his first Olympic gold. That loss, Alcaraz admitted post-match, was “painful,” as he felt he “let the Spanish people down” under the weight of national expectations. “I had my chances to probably be up in the match,” he said then, tears streaming down his face. “Novak was playing great. He deserves this.”
Fast-forward to Queen’s, where Alcaraz’s playful jab reflected both his competitive fire and his ability to laugh at himself. “I’d kill Novak for that Olympic final loss,” he quipped, prompting chuckles from Berry and the crowd. The choice was telling—Alcaraz opted to “marry” Nadal, his childhood idol and doubles partner at the Paris Games, and “kiss” Federer, whose elegance he’s long admired. The remark, shared widely across social media, drew reactions ranging from amusement to awe at how deeply the Olympic defeat resonated. One fan posted, “Alcaraz saying he’d kill Novak for the Olympics shows how much that hurt him,” while another called it “the funniest tennis interview of the year.”
Alcaraz’s candor comes amid a stellar 2025 season. After overcoming a hamstring injury that forced his withdrawal from the Australian Open, he roared back with titles in Argentina, Indian Wells, Monte-Carlo, Rome, and Roland Garros, cementing his status as a generational talent. His Queen’s opener against Walton, a grass-court veteran with recent Challenger wins, showcased his adaptability. “He has played a few matches already on grass, so I am going to say that he is a little more experienced this year,” Alcaraz said post-match. “But I am really happy with the performance I had today.” His serve, averaging 196 km/h and peaking at 218 km/h during Wimbledon 2024, remains a weapon as he eyes a third straight Wimbledon crown.
The Djokovic rivalry, now at 5-3 in the Serbian’s favor after a four-set Australian Open quarter-final loss in January 2025, continues to shape Alcaraz’s growth. “Carlos brings so much energy and intensity on the court,” Djokovic said after that Melbourne clash. “He always demands the best of his opponent.” Alcaraz, in turn, has called Djokovic “Superman,” acknowledging the 37-year-old’s resilience, especially in Paris, where he played through a surgically repaired knee. “In the difficult moments, he increased his level,” Alcaraz noted, crediting Djokovic’s tiebreak mastery.
Off the court, Alcaraz’s playful side endears him to fans. His Queen’s interview, conducted amidst preparations for a second-round clash with compatriot Jaume Munar, highlighted his ability to balance fierce ambition with levity. Leading their head-to-head 2-1, Alcaraz enters as the favorite, buoyed by a 2024 season that saw him complete the Channel Slam—winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year—a feat achieved by only five other men in the Open Era. “It’s a great feeling even thinking about being French Open winner and Wimbledon champion the same year,” he said last July.
As Alcaraz charges toward Wimbledon, his “kill” comment underscores the Olympic final’s lingering impact, but his smile suggests he’s ready to channel that pain into progress. With Nadal’s retirement looming and Federer long gone, the Spaniard’s rivalry with Djokovic remains tennis’ beating heart, promising more epic battles—and perhaps a few more laughs along the way.
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