Carlos Alcaraz is a champion at the Queen’s Club Championships once again, having won his second title in just three years with a win over Jiri Lehecka earlier today.
The 22-year-old went into the match as a heavy favourite, but he was pushed to the brink by an inspired opponent who matched him for the bulk of the afternoon.
His serving was crisp and his groundstrokes were fearsome, and Lehecka paired that physicality with the mental toughness needed to take the second-set tiebreak and force a decider.
In the end, he just could not trouble the Carlos Alcaraz serve enough to win the match, with that particular area having seen marked improvements throughout the week.
Carlos Alcaraz copies key Rafael Nadal trait at Queen’s
Speaking mid-match, as Alcaraz continued to serve with precision and consistency, Lloyd couldn’t believe what he was seeing. Especially after the Spaniard’s struggles to beat Jaume Munar earlier in the week, where that area of his game faltered.
Alcaraz revealed the change to his game he made mid-tournament, with the pundit questioning: ‘I don’t know the stats from it from last year, but it seems to me he is serving harder this year. Does it to you? It seems even harder than Wimbledon. I might be wrong.’
Andrew Castle, his co-commentator, then suggested: ‘I think he’s getting the ball toss further in front than last year, I think that’s changed over the course of this week since he started his grass-court campaign. Nadal used to do that. He changed the ball toss. It would be a good… further in front, maybe as much as a foot getting after it, getting forward.’
Lloyd then argued that this was something he’s never seen Alcaraz do before, concluding: ‘He’s serving regularly now in the 130s during this tournament, I don’t remember him doing that regularly.’
Can anybody stop Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon?
With this title, it’s worth wondering whether anyone can stop Alcaraz from winning a third straight Wimbledon title.
After all, he is simply ruthless on the grass and has been ever since he won his first Queen’s title back in 2023. Comparing Alcaraz’s record on grass to Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic and John McEnroe only reinforces this notion.
He boasts an all-surface play style that is a threat no matter the conditions, and that guaranteed danger is only heightened on the slick turf.
His explosive forehands fly past opponents, and his newfound serve is beautifully varied and accurate.
Jannik Sinner seems like the obvious answer for a potential contender, but his early exit at Halle perhaps reinforces the notion that grass is not his favoured surface.
Alexander Bublik would certainly offer an unorthodox early threat, should the draw be harsh on them both, but it really would take a miracle for anyone to dethrone Alcaraz.
He’s the rightful new king of centre court, and is expected to stay that way come the end of July.
