Carlos Alcaraz’s post-match speech after winning the Queen’s title today has been praised, as he spoke glowingly about Jiri Lehecka.
However, it was actually a small dig that he aimed at the Czech superstar which caught the eye of Andrew Castle and John Lloyd, both of whom found great pleasure in his dark humour.
After all, he was pushed hard by the 23-year-old, who should still leave London enthused after a great week.
Lehecka overcame some top opposition, including Alex De Minaur and Jack Draper, whilst also pushing the world’s most in-form player into a deciding third set.
His preparation for Wimbledon could not have been more inspiring, and Carlos Alcaraz will likely not want to face him again in a hurry. It is this notion which he touched upon in his speech.
Carlos Alcaraz’s speech after winning the Queen’s Club Championships
Chatting with Claire Balding, he gave a classically positive and respectful post-match interview, marking his fourth winner’s speech of the year.
Speaking about his opponent, Alcaraz noted: ‘It’s really special this trophy and this tournament for me. I am just happy to lift this trophy once again.
‘I have to say Jiri, incredible week. Honestly, your level is truly really high. It is always I am going to say a nightmare playing against you so that means how tough you are. Great week, great job, keep it up for Wimbledon with your team. Great job this week.’
This led Castle to note: ‘He’s getting pretty good at these winning speeches and he’s certainly been able to get a lot of practice in, the recent French Open championships that’s immediately followed on grass, this traditionally very difficult transition to make from clay to grass, no problem at all for him.
‘He’s now on an 18-match winning streak. That’s the longest of his career. He leads the tour in match wins this year with now 42 victories, and that is a fifth title.
‘So all in all, a tremendous week, a tremendous year for the man who will defend Wimbledon starting on Monday the 30th of June, and I thought it was very apt that he should say, when congratulating Lehecka, that you’re a nightmare to play against.’
Lloyd, laughing at such a statement, added: ‘I love that, certainly is. That was the incredible performance.’
Then asked if Alcaraz starts Wimbledon as the favourite, Lloyd responded emphatically: ‘No question.’
Castle also suggested that Alcaraz had copied a Rafael Nadal trait throughout the week at Queen’s, helping him towards the title.
Carlos Alcaraz extends a personal record
In beating Lehecka, Alcaraz claimed his fourth title of the year, having won in Rotterdam, Rome and Madrid previously.
However, this could arguably be the sweetest given how it has vindicated his decision to return to Ibiza straight after the French Open final, and given him the perfect way to prepare for Wimbledon.
Not only that, but his run throughout the week has actually extended a personal record for the Spaniard, who is enjoying an 18-match unbeaten run, as Castle noted earlier.
This is the best winning streak of his entire career, and it would be a huge surprise to see anybody cut it short on grass.
