Carlos Alcaraz’s Grass Season Challenge
Carlos Alcaraz is set to face his first challenge on grass for the 2025 tennis season, but not without some unexpected twists. Transitioning from clay to grass can be a daunting task for players, which is why many start participating in grass tournaments early in the season to acclimatize to the lower bounce of the surface. However, Alcaraz’s recent involvement in the Roland Garros tournament—which concludes just a day before the grass season begins—has made this difficult for him.
Queen’s Club Championships
To kick off his grass campaign, the 22-year-old Spaniard entered the Queen’s Club Championships, scheduled for the second week of the grass season. Notably, this ATP 500 event does not offer any first-round byes to seeded players, meaning Alcaraz must compete from the outset.
Initially, he was set to play against his fellow countryman Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, but shortly before their match was scheduled, Davidovich decided to withdraw from the competition. This unexpected turn of events leads Alcaraz into a match against Adam Walton, a player he had not anticipated facing. Despite this last-minute change, Walton, ranked lower than Davidovich, brings some experience to the match—having played three matches this grass season although he had reached the main draw as a lucky loser after falling short in the qualifying rounds against Aleksandar Vukic.
Coaching Insights
Alcaraz’s first encounter on grass will not only be a test of his skills but also an opportunity to gain vital match practice. His coach, Samuel Lopez, emphasized the importance of adapting to the grass surface, particularly after a taxing clay season. According to Lopez, Alcaraz comes into this tournament with a positive spirit stemming from his recent victory at Roland Garros.
“It’s about adjusting to grass in a short time but also finding joy in the game. The more matches we win, the better our adaptation will be,”
he stated.
Should Alcaraz emerge victorious against Walton, a showdown awaits him either with compatriot Jaume Munar or Australian Jordan Thompson in the subsequent round.
