Carlos Alcaraz will be looking to follow in his hero Rafael Nadal’s footsteps when he plays at Queen’s.
The Spaniard is playing for the first time since winning Roland Garros in a thrilling final against Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz confirmed his Queen’s 2025 appearance despite a trip to Ibiza in between winning his second Roland Garros final.
The star could do something that only Rafael Nadal has achieved should he have a successful tournament in London.
Carlos Alcaraz could become the second player to win Roland Garros and Queen’s in the same year
The transition between clay and grass is a tough one for players, as the surfaces are completely different in terms of pace.
As a result, only one player has ever won Roland Garros and Queen’s in the same year, with the honour going to Nadal in 2008.
The iconic Spaniard defeated Roger Federer in straight sets in Paris, before jetting into London to defeat another legend for the Queen’s crown.
Nadal beat Novak Djokovic in the 2008 final of Queen’s, picking up a close-fought 7-6 7-5 victory over the Serbian.
Alcaraz had the chance to achieve the feat at the 2024 tournament, but crashed out in the second round to Jack Draper.
Carlos Alcaraz picks Rafael Nadal as his favourite Queen’s champion
Alcaraz’s love for his hero Nadal is so strong, he picked the Spaniard as his favourite ever Queen’s champion – despite winning the tournament himself.
In a game of winner stays on with the Lawn Tennis Association’s Instagram account, Alcaraz opted for Nadal as his favourite champion at the iconic grass court event.
Nadal outlasted Pete Sampras, Lleyton Hewitt, Grigor Dimitrov, Andy Murray, and even himself as Alcaraz’s favourite.
Alcaraz kicks off his Queen’s campaign against lucky loser Adam Walton, after Alejandro Davidovich Fokina pulled out of the competition.