Fresh off his triumphant title defense at the 2025 French Open, Carlos Alcaraz is gearing up to launch his grass-court season at the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club, an ATP 500 tournament running from June 16-22, 2025. As the two-time defending Wimbledon champion, the 22-year-old Spaniard is no stranger to success on grass, having achieved the rare Channel Slam—winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon consecutively—in 2024. Now, with the world No. 2 ranking and a 37-5 win-loss record this season, Alcaraz is poised to fine-tune his game at Queen’s before aiming for a third straight Wimbledon crown. The tournament draw, recently unveiled, promises a thrilling path filled with formidable opponents, including American stars Ben Shelton and Frances Tiafoe, as Alcaraz chases another prestigious title.
Alcaraz’s campaign kicks off against compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, a tricky first-round opponent known for his flashy shot-making and competitive spirit. The two Spaniards have clashed before, with Alcaraz holding a 2-0 head-to-head edge, but Davidovich Fokina’s unpredictable style could test Alcaraz’s grass-court transition. “Every time we face each other, we bring the level to the top,” Alcaraz said after their last encounter, praising the intensity of their battles. A win would set up a second-round match against either Australia’s Jordan Thompson, a grass-court specialist with a knack for upsets, or Spain’s Jaume Munar, whom Alcaraz defeated in the 2024 Andalucía Open semifinals. Both players pose unique challenges, with Thompson’s slice-heavy game and Munar’s dogged baseline play.
The quarterfinals could bring a blockbuster showdown with sixth seed Ben Shelton, the 22-year-old American who is set to crack the top 10 after reaching the semifinals at the Boss Open in Stuttgart. Shelton, known for his booming serve and explosive athleticism, pushed Alcaraz to four sets at the 2025 French Open, where the Spaniard prevailed 7-6(8), 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. “He’s a really powerful player. He can make any shots,” Alcaraz noted, acknowledging Shelton’s ability to entertain and challenge. “I think we played really great tennis. For me, it is great having Ben around, a great energy for tennis and for the people.” Should Shelton stumble, Alcaraz could face big-serving American Reilly Opelka, whose 6’11” frame and devastating serves make him a grass-court threat.
In the semifinals, Alcaraz’s likely opponents include fourth seed Holger Rune or eighth seed Jakub Mensik, both young talents with contrasting styles. Rune, a Danish powerhouse, has a 2-2 record against Alcaraz on clay but has yet to face him on grass, where Alcaraz’s speed and creativity shine. Mensik, a rising Czech star, brings heavy groundstrokes that could test Alcaraz’s defensive prowess. The draw also features veterans like Gael Monfils, Grigor Dimitrov, and Cameron Norrie, any of whom could emerge as dark horses in this stacked section. “I love watching him play,” Alcaraz said of Shelton, but the same could apply to these seasoned players, whose experience could make for compelling battles.
The final, should Alcaraz reach it, could pit him against second seed Jack Draper, third seed Taylor Fritz, or seventh seed Frances Tiafoe, all of whom reside in the opposite half of the draw. Draper, Britain’s rising star, stunned Alcaraz in the second round at Queen’s in 2024, while Fritz’s powerful serve and aggressive baseline game make him a perennial threat. Tiafoe, the charismatic American, has a history of pushing Alcaraz to the brink, notably at the 2022 U.S. Open and 2024 Wimbledon, where their five-set epics showcased high-octane tennis. “Obviously it is always a big challenge playing against Frances,” Alcaraz said after their last Wimbledon clash, which he won 5-7, 6-2, 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-2. Tiafoe, now 27, is hungry for a maiden ATP 500 title and could draw inspiration from his 2023 Houston clay-court triumph.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a masterclass, with titles at Monte Carlo, Rome, and Roland Garros, making him the third man after Nadal and Djokovic to win all major clay titles. His grass-court pedigree is equally impressive, with a 12-match winning streak at Wimbledon and a 2023 Queen’s title. Yet, Queen’s presents a fresh test, with its fast courts and unpredictable bounces demanding quick adaptation. “I tried to calm myself and keep going,” Alcaraz said after his French Open win over Shelton, a mindset he’ll need against a field brimming with talent. As he prepares to face Davidovich Fokina, Shelton, Tiafoe, and others, Alcaraz’s journey at Queen’s promises fireworks, setting the stage for another thrilling chapter in his quest for tennis immortality.
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