Carlos Alcaraz slams controversial rule change after shock Queen’s loss

Carlos Alcaraz has claimed a controversial initiative being trialled at Queen’s this week is “something bad” – after appearing flustered at times during his loss to Jack Draper.

A new rule where the 25-second shot clock starts immediately after the conclusion of the point – not when the umpire calls the score – is being trialled in both Queen’s and Halle this week.

Alcaraz fell to a surprise 7-6(3), 6-3 defeat to home favourite Draper in their round two clash, ending his title defence – meaning he will not play again until Wimbledon.

The Spaniard was seen debating with umpire Mo Lahyani during the contest due to the change in shot clock rules, and admitted after the match he was unhappy with the on-trial procedure.

He said:  “He [Lahyani] told me that there is a new rules, this new thing, that the clock never stop. After the point is finished, the clock is putting on.

“I think for the player is something bad. I mean, I finish the point at the net, and I had no time to ask for the balls.

“I mean, I’m not saying to go to a towel and taking my time. I feel like I can’t ask for the balls. It’s crazy. I have time just to ask for two balls and no bounces.

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“I think I have never seen something like that in tennis. If you play a long point or finish at the net, you have time just to go for a towel or ask for your routine, ask for, in my case, four balls, I’m concentrating for the next point, just bouncing my bounces, and serve as best as I can.

“Today I felt like I was in a rush all the time. I had no time to bounce and do my routine. Of course it’s something bad for the players, I think.”

Defeat means he will fall to world No 3 again next week, back below Novak Djokovic – though the Serb is still a doubt for Wimbledon, meaning the Spaniard may still be a top-two seed at the All England Club.

And, with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero set to travel out to Britain later this week, Alcaraz will now focus fully on practice ahead of his SW19 title defence.

“I don’t think I’m going to go back home,” he added.

“I think the best way to be better on grass is to stay here, practice with players, physically doing good stuff on grass and the movement, really specific things. In Spain or at my home, we don’t have grass courts or really grass places just to practice.

“I’m going to stay here. I have to talk with my team, but yeah, I’m close to Wimbledon, so as soon as I can, I’m going focus on the practicing with players, practicing and everything, and I hope to be better.

“I don’t know exactly day that Juan Carlos is coming. I don’t know if it’s on Sunday or Monday. But, he’s hungry. I know that. As I said, right now I’m hungry just to be better, to practice, and that’s all I have to do.

“I’m really excited to be starting Wimbledon. Of course I really want to win every title that I go, and I think Wimbledon is even more special.

“I have time, and excited to start the first match on Centre Court.”

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