Carlos Alcaraz not a fan of new tennis rule as he makes unwanted history weeks before Wimbledon begins
The Association of Tennis Professionals [ATP] are trialling a new rule to the shot clock at Queen's.
The shot clock, which ensures players take a maximum of 25 seconds between points, currently begins when the umpire calls the score.
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But instead, the ATP is starting it right after the previous point finishes in an attempt to speed the match up. Players still have 25 seconds.
At the moment some players use that time to bounce the ball on the baseline, with some older players using it to have a vital reset. However, some have used it tactically.
As well as it disrupting the opponent’s momentum, it can also be used to put players off.
Carlos Alcaraz, who won Queen's in 2023 before then winning Wimbledon made unwanted history in the 2024 edition when he lost to Britain's Jack Draper, who became the first Brit to beat the top seed at Queen’s since 1972, when John Paish beat Stan Smith in the quarter-finals.
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Alcaraz has time to regroup before Wimbledon begins, but appeared less than impressed with the new rule.
“I think for the player it is something bad,” he said afterwards when his 13-match win streak on grass came to an end. “Today I felt like I was in a rush all the time. I had no time to bounce and do my routine.”
Novak Djokovic may not like the rule change either, having appeared to do use it to his advantage as has Rafael Nadal. Both have often gone unpunished for time wasting.
Djokovic was involved in a fiery exchange with an umpire at the Australian Open last year when accused of exceeding the serve clock after going to get his towel.
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Nadal was warned for a time code violation recently, too. The Spaniard exceeded his five-minute window to take a bathroom break at the Brisbane Open in January as he defeated Jason Kuble.
Cracking up about the moment after the game, Nadal made the crowd laugh as he explained the delay.
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“Well… I think it was something strange because I know I have five minutes," he told Sky Sports as the crowd chuckled. "Honestly, Brisbane is very humid and I had to change every single piece (of clothing). It takes a while and then honestly on the walkie-talkie they were calling me, three minutes, two minutes, one minute, half a minute…
“And I came out at the right time but probably the guy who was with me said a few seconds later to the umpire that I was… they told me four seconds late… I don’t know if it was me. I thought I was on time, honestly. But something happened and I know I am slow, I am going to try and improve.”
As for Draper, it seems Brits have a reason to be excited going forward, with those watching possibly witnessing a watershed moment.
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