Watching Carlos Alcaraz on grass during these past six days has been a bit like having a front-row seat as a prodigy deciphers the tennis equivalent of the Enigma code. At first confusion, especially at the speed and slipperiness of the green stuff. Then, with every passing day, a sense of a puzzle being cracked, of pieces falling into place. Before, finally, the sounds of solution – and satisfaction – as the Queen’s Club trophy is hoisted over his head.
With this 6-4, 6-4 victory against the willing Australian Alex de Minaur, Alcaraz not only won his first grass-court title but returned to the tennis summit. The new men’s world No 1 is also guaranteed to be top seed at Wimbledon in a week’s time. What’s more, he believes he can win it.
“I see Wimbledon as the most beautiful tournament on the tour,” he said. “It’s a tournament that I really wanted to win someday. And I have a lot of confidence to make that dream possible this year.
“I just played 11 matches in my career on grass, so I have to get more experience, more hours. But obviously after beating amazing guys, and with the level that I played, I consider myself one of the favourites to win Wimbledon.”
Of course there were caveats. As Alcaraz pointed out, Novak Djokovic has not only won seven Wimbledon titles but also, staggeringly, has won more main-draw matches at the All England Club – 86 in total – than the rest of the world’s top 20 combined, who have won 85. The Serb, as Alcaraz acknowledged, remains the man to beat.
“Novak is the main favourite to win Wimbledon, that’s obvious,” the 20-year-old said. “But I will try to play at this level, to have chances to beat him. I will have chances, that’s for sure. But I see Novak as the main favourite. This is not going to change that.”
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However the rate of progress Alcaraz has made since squeezing through his opening round match against Arthur Rinderknech has been staggering. With the help of watching videos of Andy Murray and Roger Federer on grass his movement has been transformed – and with it the rest of his game has clicked into place.
To beat Grigor Dimitrov and Sebastian Korda in straight sets in the quarters and semi-finals sent a strong message. Seeing off De Minaur, who had comfortably handled Andy Murray and the No 2 seed, Holger Rune, on his way to the final, only reinforced it.
In hot and blustery conditions, De Minaur tested his opponent by experimenting with different pace and spin, as well as a devilish backhand slice. Twice the Australian had chances to break at 4-3 in the first set. But Alcaraz saved the first with a 137mph ace, and the second with some fierce hitting and he never looked back. He broke in the next game and sealed the first set with another ace.
There was then a break as the Spaniard had his thigh taped up – he insisted it was merely precautionary and that he would be 100% for Wimbledon – and there seemed no sign of any discomfort.
Instead Alcaraz continued to apply the pressure and De Minaur had to hit a brilliant drop volley to avoid getting into a hole at the start of the second set. The shot was so good that Alcaraz, having been unable to reach the ball, stretched out his hand to congratulate his opponent on his artistry.
However, it was only delaying the inevitable. Alcaraz broke to go 3-2 ahead with a 106mph forehand winner and then saw out the match with few dramas. “I see myself with a lot of weapons on grass,” he said afterwards.
“I try to hit big shots all the time, I’ve improved my serve really well. And with the forehand I try to dominate all the time. And yes, I consider myself a good player on grass with all the weapons that I have.”
Every day the Spaniard has walked into Queen’s Club in the past week he has passed a giant board listing every winner, starting with John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors and Boris Becker to those of a more modern vintage, including Pete Sampras, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. That board has proved a reliable form guide. Of the 23 previous winners, 14 have either won Wimbledon or made the final.
“Seeing my name on the trophy and seeing my name surrounded by legends is a great feeling,” Alcaraz said.
It was then pointed out to him that when he arrived at Queen’s Club he did not have many expectations for the tournament but had gone on to win it. What are your expectations going into Wimbledon now, the questioner asked. “No expectation,” Alcaraz said, breaking into a broad smile. “You know, if I have no expectations, I’m gonna win it.”
