Published On: Sun, Jun 22nd, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz versus the field for Wimbledon after convincing Queen’s win

Carlos Alcaraz – a winner at Queen's for the second time
Carlos Alcaraz – a winner at Queen’s for the second time – PA/Adam Davy

The odds on a Wimbledon three-peat for Carlos Alcaraz are only shortening after he defeated Jiri Lehecka on Sunday afternoon to claim his second title at Queen’s.

Although Alcaraz lost the second set on a tie-break, it was no more than a brief aberration in an otherwise dominant display. He romped through the decider to seal victory in a little over two hours: 7-5, 6-7, 6-2.

Alcaraz’s serve has been so strong in recent matches that he was broken only twice in this tournament, both times by compatriot Jaume Munar in the second round. On Sunday, Lehecka must have felt like a coconut in a shy as aces – 18 of them in all – pinged past him in all directions. He never earned so much as a break point.

Afterwards, Alcaraz admitted that he had found an improved serving rhythm in midweek, having invested extra practice time in the shot since the Munar match. “After that,” he said, “I have been serving really, really well. Honestly, now I know how John Isner and Reilly Opelka [a pair of seven-foot servebots] feel when they are playing.”

Here is an alarming development for Alcaraz’s rivals. He already has the best return game on tour, while his serve used to be seen as his weakest suit. If he starts raining down aces as well, his opponents might as well walk out wielding a frying pan.

The victory was Alcaraz’s 27th from his last 28 matches, after a relatively slow start to the year in which he won only one of his first five tournaments. In the aftermath of Sunday’s final, he explained that the shift had been one of mindset rather than technique.

“I had so much hate when I lost in Miami,” Alcaraz said. “Instead of practice after that, I took a break and I went to Cancun with my family. And I had too much hate then, because a lot of people start to say, ‘What’s going on with this guy that he just lost in the first round, and he didn’t practise?’

“I think that was the key, just to have five, six days off, not grabbing a racket, not stepping on the court. Just go on vacation with my family, to turn off my mind, to think, ‘What should I have done better?’ I just got the joy back, and I start to enjoy playing tennis again, to enjoy stepping on the court, competing again.”

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates victory in the Men's Singles Final at Andy Murray Arena against Jiri Lehecka
Alcaraz never faced a break point in final against Lehecka – PA/Adam Davy

This intriguing piece of self-analysis should be filtered back to Alcaraz’s manager and coach, Albert Molina and Juan Carlos Ferrero. The two most influential members of his team, Molina and Ferrero spent a large slice of Netflix’s recent documentary series Carlos Alcaraz: My Way whingeing about the fact that their charge had gone to Ibiza after last year’s French Open when they thought he should have been training instead.

Even at the time, this seemed a peculiar position, as it has long been clear that Alcaraz is not sustained by tennis alone. A non-stop practice schedule will only rob him of his greatest asset: the very creativity which separates him from the pack. Yes, he might have lost to Britain’s Jack Draper at last year’s Queen’s, soon after his Ibiza trip. But he came roaring back to surge through Wimbledon, eventually dispatching Novak Djokovic in a one-sided final.

Alcaraz visited Ibiza again recently, in the aftermath of his contrastingly epic French Open final against Jannik Sinner, although he described this year’s trip as “more chill” than the last. “Once I went to bed so late,” he said on his arrival in London a week ago. “Obviously I did some shots as well, but nothing more than that.”

On Sunday, having won the final, Alcaraz once again credited his holidays as a vital part of his success. “As I said, I’m a player who needs days off, days to enjoy, days for myself to spend with my friends, with my family, just to turn off my mind. I need that, and the good thing is that I know that.

“The days in Ibiza helped me a lot, just to feel like I’m not a tennis player, just to enjoy life a little bit with my friends, have fun, enjoy those days, and then come back to the court with more energy, I mean, be more hungry to play again.

“So that was really helpful for me. I’m not going to say that I win the tournament because of Ibiza, but yeah … after this tournament, I can’t go back home. I’m going to stay here in London, hopefully enjoy London a little bit.”

Alcaraz enjoys London, and London enjoys him. He has played seven grass-court events in his career, all in this same city, and won four of them, accumulating a 29-3 win-loss record in the process. His success rate on grass has now reached 91 per cent, the highest figure in history, which eclipses Roger Federer, Rod Laver and all the other greats who came before him.

As Wimbledon approaches, the likes of Sinner, Djokovic and Draper will all feel that they have a chance of snatching the trophy. But one man stands in their way. Increasingly, this year’s tournament is shaping up as Alcaraz against the field.

04:45 PM BST

‘I’m happy to lift this trophy once again’

Two-time Queen’s champion, Carlos Alcaraz: “It’s really special this trophy and this tournament. I’m happy to lift this trophy once again.

“Jiri, you had an incredible week and it’s a nightmare to play against you. Great week, great job and keep it up for Wimbledon.

“It has been an incredible week. I came without expectations and just wanted to play good tennis and to get used to the grass.

“It’s really special playing here every year and I can’t wait to come back next year.”

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain lifts the HSBC Championships 2025 Winners Trophy

04:41 PM BST

‘Unfortunately it just wasn’t enough from me today’

Runner-up Jiri Lehecka: “It’s tough for me to find some words now but I’m happy I had a chance to fight for the title today.

“Congratulations to Carlos and your team for doing a great job as always. Unfortunately it just wasn’t enough from me today.

“Thanks for cheering for me the whole week and this [runner’s-up prize] looks good too.”

Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic hold up the runners-up plate

04:30 PM BST

Good year for the Spaniard so far

04:24 PM BST

King Carlos

04:23 PM BST

Alcaraz wins 7-5, 6-7, 6-2

Lehecka sees a wayward forehand fly long at 15-0 and then falls 15-40 after a good run of points from the top seed.

Alcaraz seals the deal as Lehecka nets a backhand! Alcaraz is the champion at Queen’s Club for a second time!

The world No 2 has now won 18 matches in a row!

04:17 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 6-7, 5-2 Lehecka

Alcaraz races to a 30-0 lead before getting to 40-0. The Spaniard thrown down 18 aces in this contest.

Another big delivery out wide sees the top seed hold to love and close in on this final!

04:15 PM BST

Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7, 4-2 Lehecka*

Lehecka wins the opening point as Alcaraz goes long with a forehand. The Spaniard then gets on the board with a backhand pass before Lehecka regains the lead at 30-15. The Czech then nets a forehand as the score moves to 30-30 before going on to win the next two points and hold to 30.

04:10 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 6-7, 4-1 Lehecka

Alcaraz, looking to consolidate the break, wins the opening point before Lehecka levels up at 15-15.

Some good court craft Alcaraz gets the top seed to 30-15 and then an ace moves the score to 40-15 and the Spaniard holds to 15 after a long slice backhand exchange.

04:07 PM BST

Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7, 3-1 Lehecka*

Lehecka wins the opening point before quickly losing the next three points.

Alcaraz breaks and takes control of the third set.

04:03 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 6-7, 2-1 Lehecka

Some big hitting from both sees an exhange of a couple of points before Alcaraz throws down an ace to move to 30-15.

Another good delivery gets the Spaniard to 40-15 and he holds to maintain his lead in this deciding set.

04:00 PM BST

Alcaraz 7-5, 6-7, 1-1 Lehecka*

Lehecka races to a 40-0 lead before throwing down a double fault as Alcaraz gets on the board at 40-15.

The Czech holds to draw level in the deciding set.

03:58 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 6-7, 1-0 Lehecka

Alcaraz strings together four quick points to hold to love.

03:57 PM BST

Lehecka applying pressure

Well, Lehecka couldn’t break in that set, but he was applying more pressure all the way through, and it told when Alcaraz double-faulted on the penultimate point of the tie-break. Reminiscent of the exhausting second-round match which Alcaraz won against compatriot Jaume Munar, where he double-faulted on match point in the second-set tie-break, and ended up winning in three hours and 23 minutes – the longest match at Queen’s since 1981.

03:53 PM BST

Lehecka wins the second-set tie-break 7-5

A Lehecka second serve jams up Alcaraz. 1-0 Lehecka.

Alcaraz then sees backhand fly out. 2-0 Lehecka.

Lehecka nets a return as Alcaraz gets on the board. 2-1 Lehecka.

Serve out wide is un-retruned by Alcaraz. 3-1 Lehecka.

Alcaraz gets the mini-break back. 3-2 Lehekca.

Lehecka wins the next point with a huge forehand winner. 4-2 Lehecka.

Serve volley moves the scoreboard in the right direction for Alcaraz. 4-3 Lehecka.

Incredible lob sees Alcaraz win a point he had no right winning. 4-4.

Ace sees Lehecka retake the lead. 5-4 Lehecka.

Alcaraz draws level as Lehecka backhand sails long. 5-5.

Double-fault from Alcaraz hands Lehecka set point. 6-5 Lehecka.

Lehecka secures it!

03:44 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 6-6 Lehecka

Alcaraz double-faults to fall 0-15 behind before Lehecka nets a backhand in the next sequence to move to the score to 15-15.

The top seed then throws down an ace to 30-15 ahead before Lehecka shows his class at the net that leaves Alcaraz scrambling. 30-30.

A rush of blood to the head sees Lehecka hit an easy forehand long. Game point Alcaraz, who gets a time violation from umpire James Keothavong.

Some big hitting from Lehecka gets the Czech to deuce. A huge second serve moves Alcaraz to advantage and the Spaniard holds!

Tie-break we go.

03:37 PM BST

Alcaraz 7-5, 5-6 Lehecka*

Alcaraz goes long with a forehand return on the opening point. Lehecka then sees a forehand fly long as Alcaraz gets to 15-15.

Good serve-plus-one combo moves the scoreboard to 30-15. Then an ace and Lehecka holds!

The Czech guarantees himself at least a tie-break.

Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic plays a return to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain

03:34 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 5-5 Lehecka

Great second serve out wide sees Alcaraz win the opening point. The Spaniard then races to 40-0 before closing out the game with an ace to hold to love.

Are we headed for a tie-break or will someone blink first on serve?

03:31 PM BST

Alcaraz 7-5, 4-5 Lehecka*

Alcaraz goes wide with a forehand to gift Lehecka the opening point. The Spaniard then nets a forehand dropshot to fall 30-0 behind before getting on the board, as Lehecka nets a backhand slice.

A good first serve checks up on the service causing Alcaraz to mistime the return. Lehecka goes wide with a forehand before Alcaraz gets to deuce with a forehand winner on the run.

A lovely passing shot down the line on the backhand wing, sees Lehecka secure the game.

03:25 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 4-4 Lehecka

Nice forehand-cross followed by an ace gets Alcaraz to 30-0.

The Spaniard then nets a forehand on the run before seeing Lehecka go long with a return at 30-15. An ace down the T seals the game for Alcaraz.

03:22 PM BST

Alcaraz 7-5, 3-4 Lehecka*

Lehecka gets on the board first before Alcaraz levels up at 15-15. Lehecka pounces on a short forehand to move to 30-15 before getting to 40-15 following a good first serve.

The Czech dumps a backhand into the net but holds to 30 off the back a nice kick serve out wide that sees Alcaraz stretching on the return.

03:18 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 3-3 Lehecka

More good serving sees Alcaraz race to a 40-0 lead before the Spaniard closes out the game to love.

The Spaniard has only lost six points on serve in the entire match.

03:16 PM BST

Alcaraz 7-5, 2-3 Lehecka*

Lehecka races to 30-0, as Alcaraz slips but stays on his feet on his baseline.

At 40-0, Alcaraz throws in a dropshot that catches Lehecka out as the Czech nets the next ball. 

Lehecka holds to 15 to stay ahead in this second set.

03:12 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 2-2 Lehecka

Alcaraz throws down four aces in the row, with the old balls, to hold to love. Scary!

03:09 PM BST

Alcaraz 7-5, 1-2 Lehecka*

Lehecka sees a backhand fly out before levelling things up at 15-15.

The Czech gets unlucky with a backhand volley that hits the top of the net tape and drops back on his side of the net.

Some good serving from Lehecka moves the scoreboard to 40-30 and the Czech holds to maintain his lead.

03:06 PM BST

Alcaraz* 7-5, 1-1 Lehecka

Anything Lehecka can do, Alcaraz can do too…  or maybe not as the Spaniard drops two points from 40-0 up.

The Czech is unable to uphold the momentum though as Alcaraz holds to 30.

03:03 PM BST

Second set: Alcaraz 7-5, 0-1 Lehecka*

Lehecka holds to love to get this second set started.

02:58 PM BST

Alcaraz wins the first set 7-5

Alcaraz wins the opening point before Lehecka rips a backhand down the line on return for a clean winner.

The Spaniard then reels off three points in quick succession to hold to 15 and wrap up this opening set.

Alcaraz dropped just four points on his own serve in that set, so it’s hard to see Lehecka breaking him unless something changes. You can see why he is developing the highest winning percentage in the history of grass-court tennis, with this final potentially being his 29th victory from 32 outings.

02:55 PM BST

Alcaraz 6-5 Lehecka*

Lehecka comes out on top of a nine-shot rally to go 15-0 up. Alcaraz wins the next point and looks like he has a play on the next one at the net but mistimes a volley.

At 30-30, Alcaraz wins the point and lets off a roaring “Vamos!” The Spaniard wins the next two points to break to 30.

Alcaraz will serve for the set after the changeover.

02:51 PM BST

Alcaraz* 5-5 Lehecka

Lehecka races to 0-30 before Alcaraz throws down an ace to get on the board.

A massive forehand cross sees the Spaniard level up at 30-30. A good first serve is returned long by Lehecka, Alcaraz wins his fourth point in a row to hold from 0-30 down.

02:47 PM BST

Alcaraz 4-5 Lehecka*

Lehecka starts with a positive, front-foot point then gets to 30-0 as Alcaraz nets a forehand volley.

A good first delivery then sees the Czech reach 40-0 and then an ace closes out the game to love. Good hold from Lehecka!

02:44 PM BST

Alcaraz* 4-4 Lehecka

Alcaraz, serving with new balls, starts the game with another ace. The Spaniard then gets to 40-0 with an unbelievable backhand lob that catches the back of the baseline. And the Spaniard holds to love.

02:41 PM BST

Alcaraz 3-4 Lehecka*

Lehecka goes long with a wild forehand before Alcaraz nets a return on the same wing. Another forehand return sails long from Alcaraz as Lehecka gets to 30-15.

A lovely forehand on the run is struck for a clean winner from Lehecka as he moves the scoreboard to 40-15. Alcaraz then comes out on top after an extended 12-shot rally but Lehecka is able to hold to 30.

02:37 PM BST

Alcaraz* 3-3 Lehecka

Another ace from Alcaraz to start things off. Lehecka then goes wide with a forehand to fall 30-0 behind.

Alcaraz then gets to 40-0 with a nice forehand cross-court winner and holds to love.

The Spaniard has been the more comfortable player on serve.

02:33 PM BST

Alcaraz 2-3 Lehecka*

Lehecka falls 0-15 behind before getting to 30-15 after two well-constructed points.

Alcaraz levels up at 30-30 after punishing a Lehecka second serve. A good serve from Lehecka gets the Czech to 40-30 but he then goes wide with a forehand as Alcaraz gets to deuce.

The Spaniard then mishits a return that muddles Lehecka. Advantage Alcaraz. Lehecka throws down an ace then rips a forehand for a clean winner to bring up game point and the Czech holds.

02:28 PM BST

Peter Crouch sighting

02:27 PM BST

Alcaraz* 2-2 Lehecka

Alcaraz starts off with an ace and then reaches 30-0 as Lehecka sees a backhand fly wide.

The Spaniard arrows a forehand down the line for a clean winner at 40-0 to wrap up the game.

02:23 PM BST

Alcaraz 1-2 Lehecka*

Lehecka races to a 30-0 lead before netting a backhand from the baseline that gets Alcaraz on the board.

A strong first serve is netted on return by Alcaraz which brings up two game points for the Czech. Lehecka holds to 30.

02:20 PM BST

Alcaraz* 1-1 Lehecka

Excellent serve-plus-one from Alcaraz gets things started. Lehecka gets in a good return to level up at 15-15 before Alcaraz shows soft hands as he puts away a delicate forehand volley.

The top seed holds to 15 as Lehecka goes long with a forehand return.

02:17 PM BST

First set: Carlos Alcaraz 0-1 Jiri Lehecka*

Lehecka gets on the board first as Alcaraz nets a short forehand. The unseeded Czech then sees a forehand fly long before going on to win three points in quick succession. Alcaraz slices a backhand long at 40-30 which sees Lehecka hold serve to get things started.

02:07 PM BST

Coin toss

Carlos Alcaraz won the toss and has elected to receive.

02:05 PM BST

Players are on court

Jiri Lehecka makes his way to court first followed by the 2023 champion and this year’s top seed Carlos Alcaraz.

01:59 PM BST

Will Emma Raducanu be at today’s final?

British No 1 Emma Raducanu was on the balcony taking in the Carlos Alcaraz-Roberto Bautista Agut semi-final yesterday.

The 2021 US Open champion will team up with Alcaraz in this year’s new mixed doubles competition at Flushing Meadows.

01:53 PM BST

Draper reveals tonsillitis diagnosis after semi-final defeat

After his semi-final defeat, a frustrated Jack Draper revealed he had been diagnosed with tonsillitis on Friday, and was thus short on energy throughout the semi-final, as reported by Simon Briggs here.

Jack Draper (GBR) during his men's singles semi final match against Jiri Lehecka (CZE)

01:49 PM BST

Lehecka’s match point against Draper

01:47 PM BST

Alcaraz’s semi-final match point

01:38 PM BST

Tied head-to-head

Good afternoon and welcome to coverage from Queen’s Club where Carlos Alcaraz faces Jiri Lehecka in the final of the HSBC Championships.

The Spanish top seed has been in supreme form, dropping just one set – against compatriot Jaume Munar in the second round – en route to today’s championship match.

Lehecka, the unseeded Czech who saw off British No 1 Jack Draper in yesterday’s semi-final, has also looked just as impressive securing wins against fifth seed Alex de Minaur in the first round and second seed Draper in a tight three-setter.

Alcaraz and Lehecka have met twice before and are 1-1 in their head-to-head. The 23-year-old  Czech, currently ranked 30th in the world, beat Alcaraz the last time they met in Doha earlier this year. Alcaraz was the victor in their first meeting which happened to be at Queen’s in 2023 – the Spaniard went on to win the title that year.

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