Carlos Alcaraz rows with China Open umpire – ‘This is not tennis’ | Tennis | Sport
Carlos Alcaraz vented his frustration at the China Open umpire after he was given two time violations in the first set of his clash with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Despite the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion typically being very quick between points, he was penalised twice in Beijing where an automatic shot clock is in place.
“This is not tennis,” Alcaraz fumed in a similar protest to his rant at Queen’s Club in London, hitting back at the chair umpire for punishing him against the Frenchman.
“I’m always very quick, I never get warnings,” Alcaraz continued to plead. “You gave me two in one set. It’s impossible to play tennis like this.”
The 21-year-old was still able to take the first, however, in a rare match paired against an opponent younger than him. Despite being down 0-40 to win the set, Alcaraz rallied and won every point on his second serve to gain a foothold in the contest.
After taking the set he escalated his complaint to the umpire, with the ATP put under pressure by one of its biggest stars to take a look at the rulebook concerning time violations.
Alcaraz has already made his displeasure clear over the trial of a shot clock, following his Queen’s Club defeat to Jack Draper he insisted that he will speak to ATP chiefs and propose further changes to the trial.
When asked if he felt rushed while in the UK, Alcaraz replied: “Yes, absolutely. I mean, he told me that there is a new rule, this new thing, that the clock never stops. After the point is finished, the clock is putting on.
“I think for the player it is something bad. I mean, I finish the point at the net, and I had no time to ask for the balls. I mean, I’m not saying to go to a towel and taking my time. I feel like I can’t ask for the balls. It’s crazy. I have time just to ask for two balls and no bounces.
“I mean, I think I have never seen something like that in tennis. If you play a long point or finish at the net, you have time just to go for a towel or ask for your routine, ask for, in my case, four balls, I’m concentrating for the next point, just bouncing my bounces, and serve as best as I can.”
Alcaraz had already been dealt a surprise snub after jetting from the Laver Cup to compete in the Asian swing, being demoted to the second-largest arena for his match with Mpetshi Perricard.
The Spanish superstar is often placed on the main stage due to the demand surrounding his appearances, but the China Open have instead decided to showcase their homegrown talent on centre court rather than big names from around the world.
