Carlos Alcaraz Edges Through, Murray Falls At Queen’s
Locker Room
June 20, 2023
Carlos Alcaraz came back from a set down to progress at Queen’s – but Andy Murray fell at the first hurdle.
The Spanish favourite is still finding his way on grass. He wasn’t quite the force of nature you see on other surfaces.
At least he can look forward to more valuable practice time at the biggest warm-up tournament before Wimbledon.
Carlos Alcaraz can find his grass-court groove by the time Wimbledon 2023 starts in a few days!
Meanwhile Andy Murray will now have to hope he can avoid a big name in his opening match at the All England Club.
He hasn’t done enough to earn a Wimbledon seeding, unless several other significant players pull out ahead of him.
Some are questioning whether Murray should have chosen the Ilkley challenger event to continue his winning run in smaller tournaments.
The points he might have collected in Yorkshire could have earned him a Wimbledon 2023 seeding.
Then the Brit superstar would have stood a better chance of going deep in what could become his last home Grand Slam appearance.
But he knew he needed to test himself against top players some time. And Alex de Minaur was simply too good at Queen’s, as the Australian romped to a 6-3, 6-1 victory.
All hope is not lost for Murray, though. Perhaps the Wimbledon 2023 draw will be kind to Andy after all – and allow him to build some precious momentum.
Then we could truly see the best of the Scottish warrior, in front of a roaring Centre Court crowd.
Alcaraz will worry far less about who he plays at Wimbledon. He knows he can beat anyone when he puts his mind to it.
And perhaps it was predictable that Carlitos was a little tentative on the grass at Queen’s in his very first match.
Tennis is a psychological game. You need to feel comfortable and balanced to unleash the sort of trademark power shots that have become an Alcaraz trait.
Even his forehand looked out of sorts against Arthur Rinderknech during their surprising first set.
Slowly, however, Alcaraz realised that his drop-shot could work just as well on grass as on clay.
Similarly, there was no reason why his serve couldn’t start to fizz on the unfamiliar surface.
It was a close-run thing over three sets. But Alcaraz eventually found enough resolve to win 4-6, 7-5, 7-6 (7-3).
Carlos Alcaraz will grow in confidence all the way to Wimbledon 2023. Andy Murray will also put his heart and soul into his own quest for glory.
Every match Alcaraz plays in England will teach him new things before the big tournament starts.
As for Murray, he will play every match at Wimbledon 2023 as though it could be his last.
Will you be there to see the giants of tennis try to win Wimbledon?
The legends of the game won’t be around forever.