Watching Carlos Alcaraz’s Queen’s Club masterclass courtside – and one moment stood out
Carlos Alcaraz has already established the reputation of being one of the most exciting and engaging talents in tennis history — and watching the Spanish star live for the first time did not disappoint.
Alcaraz saw off world No 80 Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4 in an hour and 20 minutes in the quarter-finals of the Queen’s Club Championships.
It was a sublime display from the five-time Grand Slam champion, who blasted 14 winners and committed just three unforced errors.
The Spanish star did not face a single break point and converted both of the opportunities he carved out on the powerful Frenchman’s serve.
Alcaraz is now on a 16-match winning streak in a run that includes his Italian Open and French Open title wins.
There was one dazzling moment that stood out in his latest stellar performance.
With Alcaraz serving at 4-3, 40-30 in the second set, Rinderknech applied pressure with some probing groundstrokes in a point played on Alcaraz’s second serve.
Shattering the sound barrier @carlosalcaraz #HSBCChampionships pic.twitter.com/8g7Q07bexW
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) June 20, 2025
After a curving cross-court forehand from the Frenchman, Alcaraz ensured an emphatic end to the rally after 15 shots as he launched himself into an blistering forehand winner down the line.
The rocket of a strike made a noticeably different sound as it left Alcaraz’s racket — and it drew a reaction of awe from the crowd inside the Andy Murray Arena.
Alcaraz’s ability to frequently sprinkle his matches with such moments of magic is what makes him such a compelling and popular champion.
The 22-year-old’s speed and footwork, as well as his touch with drop shots and at the net, were all striking from courtside, but his ability to dictate play with his forehand forehand was, perhaps, the most impressive feature.
Alcaraz’s forehand quality in the match was rated at a staggering 9.9 out of 10 by the ATP Tour’s Tennis Insights performance metric.
It is hard to argue that the Spaniard does not possess the best and most versatile forehand in tennis.
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The fact, though, that there are so many aspects of Alcaraz’s game that leave a big impression speaks to his completeness as a player.
Asked by Tennis365 about the challenge of facing Alcaraz, Rinderknech said: “It was a great experience. I started the match really well, feeling good, playing well.
“By the end of the first set, missed one or two shots, just a little bit more tightness in my gameplan and right away, he was right there. He didn’t let me… he took his chances right away, so credit to him.
“And then he was up playing a little bit better, a little bit more offensive. I was a little bit more defensive and it was difficult for me to come back in the match. So he played well.”
In his on-court interview, Alcaraz said: “I am feeling much better than the first day. It’s just what I am trying to do after everyday is just feel better.
“I am feeling great playing on grass. I am really happy to play at such a good level today. It was tough playing on the grass today but I am really happy with the way I have played today.
“I could feel better (after his marathon second round match), but honestly I thought I would be feeling worse than I am right now, but as tennis players we have to do what we have to do and that’s to recover and play the next day. I am glad today was one hour and 20 minutes.
“I am just happy and hopefully tomorrow I am going to feel much better.”
The world No 2 also spoke about his development on grass courts in his press conference.
“Well, it is a surface that you don’t play that much,” Alcaraz explained. “It’s just two tournaments a year. You don’t get as much experience as you can get on other surfaces.
“Yeah, I have won a lot of matches already in just three years that I have been playing on grass, but I’m feeling like I’m still learning how to play on grass, how to move.”
Alcaraz’s next assignment at Queen’s Club is a semi-final showdown with Spanish compatriot Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated Holger Rune in three sets.
