Carlos Alcaraz Emerges as Top Contender for Wimbledon After Queen's Victory

Carlos Alcaraz has sent a strong message to his competitors ahead of Wimbledon, cementing his status as the tournament's "red-hot favourite" after securing his second title at Queen's Club. The world number two defeated Jiri Lehecka in the final on Sunday, extending his career-best winning streak to an impressive 18 matches.

Alcaraz, who arrived in London with "no expectations," quickly adapted to the grass court, showcasing his versatility and skill. "Grass-court mode is activated," he declared after his semi-final victory over Roberto Bautista Agut. His triumph at Queen's marks his fourth grass-court title, placing him second only to Novak Djokovic among active players in grass-court victories.

The 22-year-old Spaniard has been in exceptional form this season, reaching five consecutive ATP finals and clinching four titles. His last defeat dates back to April, when he fell to Holger Rune in the Barcelona Open final. Alcaraz's success at Queen's bodes well for his Wimbledon campaign, as he aims to join an elite group of just eight men who have won both titles in the same summer during the Open era.

Former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash praised Alcaraz's form, stating, "You can't really expect better form for him to come into Wimbledon. He's obviously the player to beat."

Alcaraz is no stranger to Grand Slam success, having already claimed five major titles across three events. His 2024 French Open victory, where he fought back from two sets down to beat world number one Jannik Sinner in a grueling five-hour match, further solidified his reputation as a formidable competitor.

The young star is now eyeing a rare summer double, aiming to win both the French Open and Wimbledon in the same season—a feat achieved by only six men in the Open era, including legends like Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Djokovic.

Alcaraz's dominance on grass courts has been remarkable, making him one of only three Spanish men to win four or more grass-court titles, alongside Nadal and Feliciano Lopez. Notably, he achieved this milestone at a younger age than his compatriots.

As Wimbledon approaches, Alcaraz remains focused and confident. "I came here with no expectations at all," he said. "I just wanted to feel great on grass and give myself feedback on what to improve. But I got used to the grass really quick, and I'm really proud of that."

With his recent victories and unwavering momentum, Alcaraz is poised to make history once again at the All England Club.