As the grass-court season swings into full gear, Carlos Alcaraz is once again the center of attention at the prestigious Queen's Club Championships. The Spanish sensation, who has already carved out an extraordinary career by the age of 22, was set to face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the first round on Tuesday, June 17, 2025. However, just over two hours before the scheduled match, Davidovich Fokina withdrew due to illness, handing Alcaraz a new opponent: Australian lucky loser Adam Walton.
Davidovich Fokina, 26, had recently celebrated a major personal milestone by marrying longtime girlfriend Paloma Amatiste at the Trocadero Sotogrande in Marbella. Despite the timing of the wedding over the weekend of June 14-15, the official reason for his withdrawal from Queen's was illness, not the festivities. This last-minute change marks the second time this season that Davidovich Fokina has pulled out of a tournament at the eleventh hour, having previously withdrawn from the Rio Open in February due to a back injury.
Adam Walton, ranked 85th in the world, is stepping into the spotlight after losing in the final round of qualifying to Vukic but gaining entry as a lucky loser. Walton, who is 57 places lower in the rankings than Davidovich Fokina, will now face the daunting task of challenging the world No. 2 on the renowned grass courts of the Andy Murray Arena.
Alcaraz, who has not played a competitive match since his thrilling five-set victory over Jannik Sinner in the French Open final, has taken a strategic break to recharge. The young Spaniard spent time in Ibiza, a move he defended ahead of the tournament: "It’s kind of the middle of the season. After the clay season, which is very intense, I think it’s the perfect time to get away. My friends go every year, so I go too. It doesn’t matter where. The point is to switch off mentally, recharge physically and come back ready for the grass season. After such a great but intense few weeks, having time to disconnect and have fun is really important for me." This rest is part of his preparation for a campaign aimed at winning Wimbledon for the third consecutive year.
Alcaraz's journey at Queen's is a significant stepping stone in his grass-court season. He returns to the tournament seeking his second title in his third appearance at the HSBC Championships. His debut in 2023 was nothing short of spectacular, where he claimed his first grass-court title by defeating a series of formidable opponents including Arthur Rinderknech, Jiri Lehecka, Grigor Dimitrov, Sebastian Korda, and Alex de Minaur. That triumph set the stage for his stunning Wimbledon victory just three weeks later, where he toppled seven-time champion Novak Djokovic in a gripping five-set final, ending Djokovic's unbeaten streak at Wimbledon since 2016.
In 2024, Alcaraz continued to show his prowess by winning the French Open and extending his grass-court winning streak to 13 matches at Queen's. However, his unbeaten record at the tournament was halted in the second round by Britain's Jack Draper, a rising star currently ranked fourth in the world. Draper, who is aiming to become the first British champion at Queen's since Andy Murray in 2016, opens his 2025 campaign against American Jenson Brooksby. Draper’s decision not to defend his Stuttgart title means he will drop below Novak Djokovic and be overtaken by Taylor Fritz, who is regaining form this season.
The 2025 Queen's Club Championships have seen a flurry of withdrawals, including reigning champion Tommy Paul, who is sidelined with an abdominal problem, and Italian Lorenzo Musetti, recovering from a leg injury sustained during the French Open semi-final against Alcaraz. This has opened opportunities for players like Jacob Fearnley, who secured a main draw spot thanks to these withdrawals, and wild cards Cameron Norrie and Dan Evans.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been marked by impressive victories despite a challenging start. After a tough four-set quarter-final loss to Djokovic at the Australian Open, the only Grand Slam title missing from his collection, Alcaraz bounced back to win tournaments in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Rome, and the French Open, bringing his career title tally to 20. His French Open final against Jannik Sinner has been hailed as one of the greatest matches in tennis history, showcasing his resilience and skill.
With a stellar 24-3 record on grass courts, boasting an 88.9% win rate—the best surface record of his career—Alcaraz is poised to make a deep run at Queen's and beyond. His ambitions are clear: to defend his Wimbledon crown and cement his legacy among the greats. Tennis legend John McEnroe has praised Alcaraz, saying, "Carlos Alcaraz is my favourite player to watch. He’s the most skilled young man I’ve ever seen at this age. It’s hard to believe he can keep improving as he is already so good at everything. The biggest thing he brings to the court is that smile. The joy he brings to the court to compete for everything. That is so hard to be able to do – enjoy it while you are stressing out."
As the tournament unfolds, all eyes will be on Alcaraz as he navigates a new challenge against Walton and aims to recapture the magic that has defined his meteoric rise. The Queen's Club Championships offer a crucial platform for the world No. 2 to sharpen his grass-court game and build momentum ahead of Wimbledon, where he seeks a historic third consecutive title.
The stage is set for an exhilarating week of tennis in London. With emerging talents like Draper and Walton making their marks and Alcaraz determined to add to his growing list of achievements, the 2025 Queen's Club Championships promise drama, skill, and unforgettable moments on the grass.
