Frustrated Alcaraz voices discontent with time shortening rule

Spain’s young tennis star Carlos Alcaraz has criticised the new time clock rule after losing in the second round of the Queen’s Championship on Thursday. The 21-year-old, along with Italy's Jannik Sinner, is already regarded as one of the most highly rated players in men’s tennis's singles category.

While defending his crown at the Queen’s Championship, Alcaraz suffered a shocking defeat in the second round to Britain’s young Jack Draper in straight sets with a score of 7-6, 6-3. The current world number two, while talking to the media after the match, expressed frustration over the new rule, which forced players to be quicker between points to shorten the game length.

"I mean, he [chair umpire] told me that there is a new rule, this new thing, that the clock never stops,” he said. “After the point is finished, the clock is putting on. I think for the player it is something bad. I mean, I finish the point at the net, and I had no time to ask for the balls. I feel like I can't ask for the balls. It's crazy.”

Alcaraz’s defeat is indeed surprising. He was coming into the competition on the back of winning the French Open, where he defeated Germany’s Alexander Zverev in the final in a five-set contest with a score of 6-3, 2-6, 5-7, 6-1, 6-2.

The result will also have an implication on Alcaraz’s preparations for the upcoming third Grand Slam of the year. Wimbledon 2024 will begin from July the 1st where the Spaniard will be defending his crown. He secured the title last year after beating the former world number one and legendary Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic in the final in a thrilling five-set contest.

On the other hand, Draper will be definitely over the moon as he continues his impressive run which started in Stuttgart where he lifted the title after beating Italy’s Matteo Berrettini in the final with a score of 3-6, 7-6, 6-4. He will now face America’s Tommy Paul in the quarterfinal of the competition on Friday.