World number two Carlos Alcaraz expressed frustration with a newly implemented shot clock rule being trialed at the Queen’s Club Championships, following his defeat to Briton Jack Draper. Alcaraz, who lost 7-6(3), 6-3 in the last 16, felt the rule left him rushed during play.
The new shot clock rule, designed to minimize time between points, starts almost immediately after a point concludes, rather than waiting for the chair umpire to call the score. This trial regulation, reportedly in place for the past 10 days, was communicated to players before the tournament.
Alcaraz shared his concerns with chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani during the match, stating he had insufficient time to follow his usual routine. “He told me that there is a new rule, this new thing, that the clock never stops. After the point is finished, the clock is putting on,” Alcaraz explained.
The reigning French Open champion emphasized the negative impact on players, noting he barely had time to request balls, let alone go to his towel. “I’m not saying to go to a towel and take 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. I’ve never seen something like that in tennis.”
Alcaraz described the rushed nature of the matches under the new rule. “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 on 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.”
When asked if he had discussed the issue with the ATP, Alcaraz confirmed he intended to do so. “Not yet, but I will, for sure,” he said, as he now turns his focus to Wimbledon, beginning July 1.
Reuters has reached out to the ATP for a statement regarding the new shot clock regulation.
