Carlos Alcaraz disappointed yesterday against an inspired Jack Draper, although he was not inherently bad on the grass.
He just lacked the usual passion and commitment that has helped him win so many big matches already across his young career, meanwhile his Great British opponent, on home soil, had that in abundance.
Hitting with venom and pinpoint accuracy, and serving superbly throughout, the 22-year-old was mesmeric.
And yet, whilst the world number two did not seek to inherently shift the blame elsewhere, he did voice his concerns with one Queen’s decision which certainly did not help him.
Carlos Alcaraz hits out at new Queen’s rule
Speaking to the press after his second-round exit at Queen’s, failing to defend his title, Alcaraz focused his frustration on one area.
And whilst he could have complained about the gulf in desire and quality between the two players, he instead took aim at chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, for the new rule they are trialling at both Queen’s and Halle this week.
He grumbled: ‘He [Lahyani] told me that there is a new rules, this new thing, that the clock never stop. After the point is finished, the clock is putting on.
‘I think for the player is something bad. I mean, I finish the point at the net, and I had no time to ask for the balls.
‘I mean, I’m not saying to go to a towel and taking my time. I feel like I can’t ask for the balls. It’s crazy. I have time just to ask for two balls and no bounces.
‘I think I have never seen something like that in tennis. If you play a long point or finish at the net, you have time just to go for a towel or ask for your routine, ask for, in my case, four balls, I’m concentrating for the next point, just bouncing my bounces, and serve as best as I can.
‘Today I felt like I was in a rush all the time. I had no time to bounce and do my routine. Of course, it’s something bad for the players, I think.’
The new rule is good for fans but bad for players?
On paper, this was always going to draw frustration.
After all, for many players, their pre-serve routine is now a necessary, unavoidable habit rather than a conscious choice.
Rafael Nadal has spent his entire career spending an age before serving, with his various ticks preparing him to strike the ball. To tell the legendary Spaniard that he can no longer do that would likely cause a meltdown from the 37-year-old, who has built a career forged on that ritual.
And so, it brings about the query of who this rule actually benefits.
Naturally, the spectators are supposed to be the beneficiaries, with a tennis match that can often drag on now streamlined.
However, if it spurs on disgruntled players and hampers their respective games, do the fans really enjoy the same level of quality?
It is an interesting debate, and one many would argue differently on. But, for now, I’m sure Alcaraz and many other players will be glad that this is just a trial period.
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