Carlos Alcaraz, the number 2 seed, sparked controversy in the tennis world with his vociferous disagreement with chair umpire Simon Cannavan over the shot clock rule. This incident occurred just before Alcaraz’s unexpected departure from the Miami Masters, a tournament where he was expected to make his mark. The Spanish powerhouse believed that the umpire should have exercised greater discretion and leniency in certain situations, instead of sticking rigidly to the shot clock rule.
The confrontation arose during a closely contested game in the second set, a game that stretched beyond five minutes without Alcaraz facing a break point. During the changeover that ensued, the Miami Masters 2022 champion took the opportunity to voice his grievances to the umpire.
“I finish in the net, it is impossible to put the clock. He brought me the towel just once, and I lost more time if I got to the towel. Know what I mean? So it is impossible. I finish in the net, and I have no time,” Alcaraz was overheard telling Cannavan in a heated exchange. The Spanish star seldom complains, but when he does, it’s usually an indication of a significant issue that warrants attention.
Following this incident, Alcaraz’s performance on the court took a hit. He was broken in the ninth game by his opponent, Goffin, who went on to take a 5-4 lead. Goffin then served out for the second set, and his momentum carried him into the decider, where he established a 2-0 lead. He clinched his third break in the ninth game, concluding the match with a 5-7 6-4 6-3 victory.
Despite making an astonishing 43 unforced errors against Goffin, Alcaraz displayed sportsmanship in acknowledging his subpar performance. He stated, “It was a poor level from me. I just wanted to play better. After the first set, I thought I was going to be better. He played well, he played good tennis. My level didn’t increase. I think his level after the first set increased a little bit.”
This loss came on the heels of another upset in the Indian Wells Masters semifinal, where Alcaraz was defeated by Jack Draper. Alcaraz’s recent performances have fuelled debates about necessary reforms in tennis rules, with his shot clock dispute serving as the latest flashpoint.
