Carlos Alcaraz in overdrive: Career-best 18 wins, Wimbledon glory on mind

The tennis world is buzzing with anticipation as Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish phenom, storms into the 2025 Wimbledon Championships, which run from June 30 to July 13, riding an unprecedented 18-match winning streak—the longest of his career. Fresh off a commanding title defense at Queen’s Club, where he outlasted Jiri Lehecka 7-5, 6-7(5), 6-2, Alcaraz has his sights set on a historic third consecutive Wimbledon crown, a feat only Björn Borg, Pete Sampras, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic have achieved in the Open Era. “Grass-court mode is activated,” Alcaraz declared after his Queen’s semi-final win over Roberto Bautista Agut, a statement that has proven prophetic as he dominates the grass season with a 25-1 record since 2023.

Alcaraz’s 2025 has been a masterclass in resilience and brilliance. After a rocky start with four losses before March—to Djokovic at the Australian Open, Lehecka in Doha, Jack Draper at Indian Wells, and David Goffin in Miami—he rediscovered his joy for the game during a rejuvenating break in Cancun. “After the vacation that I had in Cancun with my family, I just got the joy back,” he said, reflecting on his mental reset. Since April, he’s been nearly untouchable, dropping just one match to Holger Rune in Barcelona while claiming five titles, including the French Open, Monte Carlo, Italian Open, and Queen’s. His Roland Garros triumph, a five-hour, 29-minute epic against Jannik Sinner where he rallied from two sets down and saved three championship points, was hailed as his finest performance yet. “I still can’t believe that I came back from that moment,” he said, cementing his status as a clutch performer.

At Queen’s, Alcaraz showcased his grass-court prowess, firing a career-high 18 aces in the final and capitalizing on Lehecka’s late lapses. “This is really special, this trophy and this tournament for me,” he said on court, savoring his second Queen’s title, a feat that aligns him with legends like Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. His 18-match streak, which began after Miami, includes victories over top players like Sinner, whom he’s beaten four times in 2025, snapping the Italian’s 26-match run at the Italian Open. “It’s a huge honor for me to be part of those players who have achieved Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same year,” Alcaraz said, referencing his 2024 Channel Slam, a rare double he aims to repeat.

Alcaraz’s preparation for Wimbledon, where he’s the two-time defending champion, is meticulous. Arriving in London on June 21, he began training on June 25, with a Centre Court session planned to hone his game under coach Juan Carlos Ferrero’s guidance. As the world number two, he’ll open play on June 30 at 1:30 PM, backed by physio Juanjo Moreno and agent Albert Molina. His 90% Wimbledon win rate—better than Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic—underscores his grass-court dominance, with only Djokovic boasting more active grass titles. “You can’t really expect better form for him to come into Wimbledon,” said former champion Pat Cash, labeling Alcaraz the “red-hot favourite.”

Despite his success, Alcaraz remains grounded, driven by a desire to join the “Big Three” at tennis’ summit. “I want to sit at the same table as them,” he told reporters, eyeing Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic’s legacy. A third Wimbledon title would tie him with Boris Becker and John McEnroe and position him to surpass Nadal’s six Grand Slams before age 23. With a favorable draw—potentially facing Djokovic in the quarter-finals and Sinner in the final—Alcaraz’s explosive forehands, deft volleys, and unrelenting energy make him the player to beat. As he chases history, the tennis world watches, captivated by a star in overdrive.

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