LONDON — Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Wimbledon champion, admitted he "does not know how I'm still standing here" after a grueling three-set victory over fellow Spaniard Jaume Munar to reach the quarter-finals at the Queen's Club Championships.
The 21-year-old world No. 2 battled through a tense 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 encounter on Thursday, saving multiple break points in the decisive third set. Despite struggling with fatigue and an uncharacteristically high 33 unforced errors, Alcaraz dug deep to secure his place in the last eight of the prestigious grass-court event.
A Test of Resilience
Alcaraz, who arrived at Queen's with minimal grass-court preparation, faced a stern challenge from Munar, a clay-court specialist who pushed him to the brink. The match lasted two hours and 20 minutes, with both players trading breaks in a nervy second set before Alcaraz regained control in the third.
"Honestly, I don’t know how I pulled through," Alcaraz confessed in his post-match interview. "Jaume made me work for every single point. My legs were heavy, but I told myself to keep fighting—this is what I love to do."
Key Moments of the Match
The turning point came in the third set when Alcaraz fended off three break points at 2-2, unleashing a series of clutch serves and forehand winners. His ability to elevate his game under pressure proved decisive, as he broke Munar in the next game and held serve to close out the match.
- First Set: Alcaraz capitalized on an early break, sealing it with a trademark drop shot.
- Second Set: Munar countered with aggressive baseline play, breaking Alcaraz twice.
- Third Set: A dramatic hold at 2-2 shifted momentum, with Alcaraz winning four of the last five games.
Grass-Court Adjustments
Despite his victory, Alcaraz acknowledged his discomfort on grass. "I’m still learning how to move properly on this surface. Every match is a lesson, and today was no different. I need to trust my shots more and stay patient."
Looking Ahead to the Quarter-Finals
Next up for Alcaraz is a clash with either British No. 1 Jack Draper or Argentina’s Mariano Navone. Draper, a left-hander with a powerful serve, could pose a significant threat on grass. Alcaraz remains cautious but optimistic: "Whoever it is, I’ll have to raise my level again."
The Queen's tournament serves as a crucial warm-up for Wimbledon, where Alcaraz will defend his title next month. His gritty performance against Munar, though far from flawless, demonstrated his trademark fighting spirit. "Winning ugly is part of the game," he said with a smile.
Reactions from the Tennis World
Former Wimbledon champion Boris Becker praised Alcaraz’s resilience, telling the BBC: "Champions find a way, even when they’re not at their best. Carlos showed that today—he refused to lose."
Meanwhile, Munar, despite the defeat, took pride in his performance. "I pushed him to the limit. Carlos is one of the best in the world, but I proved I can compete at this level."
Conclusion: A Step Closer to Wimbledon
Alcaraz’s victory keeps his hopes alive for a second consecutive Queen’s title, a feat last achieved by Andy Murray in 2015-16. More importantly, it provides valuable match practice ahead of Wimbledon. "Every match on grass counts," Alcaraz emphasized. "I’ll take the win and keep improving."
As the tennis world watches, Alcaraz’s ability to adapt and endure on grass will be key to his success this summer. For now, though, he’s just relieved to still be standing.