- Carlos Alcaraz celebrated a remarkable victory at Queen’s Club
- It was his first-ever grass championship
- He displaced 23-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz celebrated a remarkable victory at Queen’s Club, defeating Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 to clinch his first-ever grass championship.
This triumph not only marked a significant milestone for the 20-year-old Spaniard but also propelled him back to the top of the ATP rankings as world No. 1.
He displaced 23-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic who had successfully defended his ranking after winning the French Open.
Alcaraz’s conquest at Queen’s Club was his fifth title of the year, placing him on equal footing with Daniil Medvedev for the most victories on the ATP Tour in the current season.
Despite his limited experience on grass courts, having played in only three grass tournaments throughout his career, Alcaraz displayed exceptional skill and determination throughout the event.
Carlos Alcaraz. Photo/WDKY
Although Alcaraz has yet to reach the quarter-finals at Wimbledon in his previous attempts, his recent outstanding performance suggests that he may pose a significant threat to Djokovic’s bid for an eighth Wimbledon title.
Moreover, the absence of the injured 2022 finalist, Nick Kyrgios, further enhances Alcaraz’s chances of achieving success at the prestigious All England Club next month.
Alcaraz faced an early challenge in the first round against French lucky loser Arthur Rinderknech. However, from that point forward, the Spaniard dominated his opponents, not dropping a single set on his path to the final.
Notably, his journey included victories over former Wimbledon champion Andy Murray and the sixth-ranked player in the world, Holger Rune.
Despite his recent triumph, Alcaraz remained grounded and did not believe that his title wins in Kensington significantly altered expectations for Wimbledon.
“Right now I’m feeling better than the beginning of the week, that’s obvious. Of course, recovering the No. 1 before Wimbledon, it gives you extra motivation, it gives you extra confidence coming into Wimbledon. But it doesn’t change too much if I play Wimbledon as the No. 2 or the No. 1,” the Spaniard said.
During the championship match against de Minaur, Alcaraz faced a tough test. De Minaur initially led the first set 4-3 and held two break points, which could have set him up to serve for the set.
However, the 20-year-old demonstrated incredible resilience, refusing to surrender, and ultimately turned the tables, clinching the set.
Carlos Alcaraz. Photo/The West Australian
Between sets, the Spaniard required a medical timeout for his right quad, which needed strapping. Despite this setback, Alcaraz exhibited little hindrance, capitalizing on a crucial break point to take a 3-2 lead in the second set.
In the pivotal game that would determine the outcome of the match, he found himself trailing 0-30.
However, de Minaur’s two unforced errors swung the momentum back in the Spaniard’s favor. Alcaraz displayed nerves of steel, delivering powerful serves in critical moments and claiming four consecutive points to secure a well-deserved victory.
Carlos Alcaraz’s triumph at Queen’s Club not only solidified his reputation as a rising star in the world of tennis but also reinstated him as the top-ranked player in the ATP rankings.
As he sets his sights on Wimbledon, Alcaraz’s recent success has undoubtedly bolstered his confidence, making him a formidable contender to watch out for in the upcoming tournament.
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