Carlos Alcaraz picked up the first grass-court title of his career as he downed Alex de Minaur 6-4 6-4 to win Queen’s. With the victory, the Spaniard will return to the top of the rankings on Monday and is guaranteed to be the top seed at Wimbledon – overtaking Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz was playing just the third grass tournament of his career and his first on the ATP Tour. The 20-year-old was modest about his expectations at Queen’s at the start of the week despite being the top seed and didn’t see himself as a title favourite.
But he continued to improve with each match and – by the final – admitted he could see himself winning Wimbledon at least once. With Alcaraz producing his best grass-court match yet in the semi-final he looked to keep building on that form against de Minaur, who already has a grass-court title from Eastbourne in 2021.
It was the Australian who was first to set up two break points in the first set but Alcaraz found some big serves at the perfect time to save them. He went on to break in the very next game himself and closed out the opener 6-4 in 50 minutes.
Alcaraz then took a medical time out to receive treatment on his right thigh, with the physio intervention coming as a surprise after his strong opening set. But the world No 2 didn’t let his level drop and continued to press the seventh seed.
The 20-year-old broke to lead 3-2 in the second set and it was enough to get him to the finish line, as de Minaur failed to set up any break points after blowing two in the first set. Alcaraz went on to serve it out 6-4 6-4 in an hour and 39 minutes to lift his 11th career title and first on the grass.
Alcaraz will now return to No 1 in the rankings on Monday, leapfrogging Djokovic. The pair have been in a relay race for the top spot all season as they have continued to swap around at the peak of the rankings.
And it comes at a crucial time as the Spaniard will be the top seed at Wimbledon, with the draw being made on Friday. Ahead of the final, Alcaraz made it no secret that the No 1 ranking was even more motivation to lift the title.
“It’s an extra motivation for me,” he said after the semi-final. “Obviously during the match I’m not thinking about that, but is an extra motivation for me, you know, to go into the final with extra energy. You know, I’m gonna go for it. Obviously being top seed at Wimbledon, being No 1, for me, it’s still a dream.”
