“Andy Murray’s Practice Duel with Carlos Alcaraz at Queen’s: Final Score Revealed!”
Carlos Alcaraz and Andy Murray have just finished playing a practice set ahead of tomorrow’s opener at The Queen’s Club.
It saw the reigning champion face the competition’s greatest-ever champion, with the 37-year-old boasting five titles at the event.
And whilst it is unlikely that he will add more, given how this form and fitness have somewhat failed him this year, it feels like his preparation for this grass-court campaign seems better than it has been in recent memory.
Now facing off against the new Roland Garros champion, and the second-best player in the world, it is intriguing to see how he got on.
Carlos Alcaraz plays Andy Murray in Queen’s practice set
Given the respective form of the two players, many would be forgiven for thinking that Andy Murray would have been lucky to win a single game.
However, as he has done throughout his entire career, the Scotsman has pulled it out of the bag and shocked everyone, inexplicably winning a practice set cut slightly short, 5-3.
Andy Murray of Great Britain serves with Carlos Alcaraz of Spain during practice on Day One of the cinch Championships at The Queen’s Club on June …
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
It should offer the three-time Grand Slam champion great confidence ahead of his return to West Kensington, and might even spark a successful grass court campaign from a player who has notoriously thrived on this surface.
The result was recorded by journalist Manuel Sanchez, who wrote on X: ‘They have left it with 5-3 for Murray. Few buts to Carlos, Andy has been spectacular. Alcaraz is going to stay a while longer to practice service.’
Could Andy Murray thrive throughout grass court season?
Even though this was likely an Alcaraz just finding his rhythm, the confidence this should inspire within Murray should be huge.
After all, it has not been an easy year for him, having been dumped out in the first round of both Grand Slams as well as in Stuttgart, Marseille, Montpellier and Geneva, to name just a few.
However, the key difference between then and now is the surface, with this being his first foray onto grass of the season.
Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand against Cameron Norrie of Great Britain during an exhibition match prior to the cinch Championships a…
So, perhaps this might offer a renaissance late in his career, to allow him to take one last step towards retirement with a little more dignity and grace. He deserves that at least, for all he has given to the sport.
And for the Spaniard, Alcaraz’s tough Queen’s draw will be licking their lips after this result.
