“Impossible to play tennis like this,” Frustrated Carlos Alcaraz furiously confronts umpire after getting 2 time violation warnings at China Open
Carlos Alcaraz was angry at the chair umpire after getting two time violation warnings during his first-round match at the China Open.
Carlos Alcaraz (Images via X)
Carlos Alcaraz got two time violation warnings by the China Open chair umpire on Friday (September 27). He was up against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard inside the Lotus Court.
It was Alcaraz’s first match since winning the Laver Cup with Team Europe. Even though the Spaniard won the match 6-4, 6-4, he was unhappy with the umpire’s decision after getting the warnings in the first set.
This is not tennis. I’m always very quick, I never get warnings. You gave me two in one set. It’s impossible to play tennis like this.
Carlos Alcaraz to the chair umpire
Also, Alcaraz, despite being one of the biggest stars of the tournament, was ‘demoted’ to the second-largest court in Beijing for the match against Mpetshi Perricard as the tournament authorities want the Chinese players to play on the center court.
Alcaraz will next face Tallon Griekspoor. They have met thrice, with the Spaniard winning all the matches. Alcaraz last met the Dutchman during the Round of 32 of the Paris Olympics.
Carlos Alcaraz felt rushed during Queen’s Club loss to Jack Draper
A similar incident happened when Carlos Alcaraz was squaring off against Jack Draper in the fourth round of the Queen’s Club Championships this year. Alcaraz felt rushed during his defeat and later said he would speak to ATP about the new shot clock rule.
Previously, the 25-second countdown to a serve used to start after the chair umpire called the scores. But as per the new rule, the countdown starts almost immediately after a point has been scored. If the player fails to serve before the clock reaches zero, he or she gets the time violation warning and this rule has frustrated players like Alcaraz.
I think for the player it 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.
Carlos Alcaraz said after his loss at the Queen’s Club Championships
Though Alcraz failed to defend his title at the Queen’s, he went on to win the Wimbledon by beating seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic in straight sets. Apart from his second back-to-back title at the SW19, the 21-year-old has also won the French Open this year.
Gouri Das
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