Alcaraz Ready to Kick off Grass Swing at Queen’s

The Spaniard enters the draw with a 12-match winning streak on grass.
Just one week removed from winning his third major title at Roland-Garros, Carlos Alcaraz is locked and loaded for the grass.

The 21-year-old, who will face Francisco Cerundolo in first-round action at Queenā€™s Club on Tuesday, says heā€™s feeling comfortable on the grass after a 2023 season that saw him win all 12 matches he played on the surface.


ā€œI have more matches in my bank on grass and now with the great run I had last year at Queenā€™s and Wimbledon, I know a little bit on how to play and understand the game a little bit on grass,ā€ Alcaraz said in his pre-tournament press conference in London, according to the ATP.

The Spaniard admits that heā€™ll need some time to get his feet underneath him after a taxing run to his maiden title on the terre battue of Paris.

ā€œI am more mature playing on this surface,ā€ he said. ā€œThe first practice I have done here, my movement wasnā€™t as good as last year but it is a slow process, so I have to be really focused in every practice and every match.ā€

Second-ranked Alcaraz has been installed as the oddsmakers favorite for Wimbledon, with his rival Jannik Sinner just a smidge behind him, and Novak Djokovic ā€“ whose status remins uncertain after undergoing knee surgery last week ā€“ third.

Alcaraz is 16-2 lifetime on the surface ā€“ he will bid to become the ninth player to win back-to-back titles in tournament history. The Spaniard is 26-4 on the season, as he embarks on a busy section of the season that will include Wimbledon, the Paris Olympics and the US Open.

ā€œRight now my focus is on the grass and then after that, my mind will be on clay again to be at my best for the Olympics,ā€ he said.