"I got a lot of hate for going on vacation": Carlos Alcaraz silences critics with Queen’s Club Crown

Carlos Alcaraz attributed his success in recent months to a crucial vacation that allowed him to disconnect and return in his best form. The five-time Grand Slam champion secured his third consecutive title after defeating Jiri Lehecka in the Queen's Club Championships final.

The Spaniard replicated the title he won back in 2023, and along with his two Wimbledon trophies, he now has four grass-court titles—from just seven tournaments played on the surface in his career so far. His career grass-court record stands at an incredible 29-3 (90.6%), placing him as the player with the highest winning percentage on grass courts in history.

Alcaraz's positive streak has been ongoing for months, despite some criticism early in the year. The Spaniard didn't have a great Sunshine Double, as he failed to defend his Indian Wells title and then had an early exit in the first round of the Miami Open against David Goffin.

The World No. 2 took advantage of the couple of weeks he had off from competition and decided to go on vacation with his family for a few days before returning to the clay-swing. The formula worked, as since then he has a 27-1 record, won four titles, and only lost in the Barcelona Open final against Holger Rune.

"I got a lot of hate when I lost in Miami. Instead of training after that, I took a break and went to Cancun with my family, and I got a lot of hate then, because many people started saying, like: 'What's wrong with this guy who just lost in the first round, and didn't train, didn't go to the court and keep practicing to get better?'

“ That was the key, just having five, six days off, not picking up a racket, not stepping onto the court. Going on vacation with my family, disconnecting, thinking about what I should have done better. After Miami, after the vacation I spent in Cancun with my family, I regained my joy and started enjoying playing tennis again, enjoying stepping onto the court, competing again."

Alcaraz won two Masters 1000 titles at Monte-Carlo Masters and Rome Open, clinched his 5th major title at Roland Garros, and has now started the grass-swing impressively with another title at Queen's Club. However, Alcaraz admitted that he arrived in London this week without high expectations, after again taking a few days of rest with his friends in Ibiza after winning the French Open title.

"The truth is, I arrived without expectations. I wanted to play good tennis and prepare for the grass," the World No. 2 said. "I have to thank my team. I am lucky to have some of my family and friends here who make everything easier for me. Without them, this wouldn't be possible. I'm already looking forward to playing here again next year."

Alcaraz will arrive at Wimbledon with an 18-match winning streak, his best historical streak, during which he has also secured 5 wins against Top-10 players (including two against ranking leader Jannik Sinner). At Wimbledon, he will defend the crown he won in 2023 and 2024 and will start as the second seed, just behind Sinner.