Carlos Alcaraz recently suffered a defeat by Jack Draper at Queen’s Club, which has left him feeling rushed due to a new shot clock rule being trialed by the ATP. The 25-second shot clock now begins almost immediately after a point is concluded, rather than when the chair umpire calls the score. This rule change aims to streamline game flow and ensure consistent time management.
Alcaraz expressed his concerns about the new rule, stating that he felt rushed during the match and had no time to go through his regular routine. He mentioned that he was unable to ask for balls or take his time between points, which affected his performance on the court. The Spanish player also noted that he had no time to bounce the ball and follow his usual routine, making him feel pressured throughout the match.
Despite the challenges posed by the new shot clock rule, umpires have the ability to pause the shot clocks in the event of disruptions beyond player or tournament control. Alcaraz plans to speak to the ATP about his concerns regarding the rule, as he prepares to compete at Wimbledon, which begins on July 1st. The Spanish player has only played two grass matches so far, making his Wimbledon preparation more challenging.
As the tennis world gears up for Wimbledon, fans can watch all the action live on Sky Sports. The grass-court season features tournaments such as the Berlin Open, Halle, Mallorca Championships, and Bad Homburg. Viewers can catch the WTA and ATP Tours throughout the year on Sky Sports Tennis, with the option to stream matches with a NOW Sports Month Membership. Stay tuned for exciting matches and updates from the world of tennis as the season progresses.