World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz expressed his intention to discuss with the ATP a new shot clock rule currently being trialed, following his loss to Briton Jack Draper at the Queen’s Club Championships.
Alcaraz felt rushed during the match and believes the rule may have impacted his performance.
The defeat, with a score of 7-6(3) 6-3, was a setback for Alcaraz as he prepares to defend his Wimbledon title.
The new rule, part of a trial, initiates a 25-second shot clock almost immediately after a point is concluded, contrasting with the previous method where the clock started when the chair umpire called the score.
The new regulation, aimed at streamlining game flow and ensuring consistent time management, has been on trial since the French Open concluded. An ATP source told Reuters it will continue in ATP tournaments until the end of the season.
Alcaraz said he had no time to go through his regular routine during the match and that he had expressed his concerns to chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani.
“He told me that there is a new rule, this new thing, that the clock never stops. After the point is finished, the clock is put on,” Alcaraz added.
“I think for the players it’s something bad. I finish the point at the net and I had no time to ask for balls. I’m not saying to go to a towel and take 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’ve 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 on 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.”
The ATP source said umpires would still have the ability to pause the shot clocks in the event of disruptions beyond player or tournament control.
French Open champion Alcaraz was asked if he had spoken to the governing body.
“Not yet, but I will, for sure,” said the Spaniard, who will now head to Wimbledon, which begins on July 1.
