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Carlos Alcaraz is widely admired for his composure under pressure, but the Spaniard revealed a rare flash of frustration during his quarterfinal clash at the Doha ExxonMobil Open on Thursday.
Heated exchange over time violation
The tense moment unfolded in the first set against seventh seed Karen Khachanov, with the score locked at 4-4. After a physically demanding rally, Alcaraz was issued a time violation warning for exceeding the allotted 25 seconds between points.
Clearly stunned by the decision, the reigning Australian Open champion responded: “I’m not allowed to go to the towel?”
Chair umpire Marija Cicak clarified that the shot clock had been restarted only after Alcaraz had already walked to the back of the court to collect his towel. The exchange continued through the changeover, with the Spaniard attempting to have the warning overturned.
“I can’t invent more time,” Cicak replied.
The brief dispute marked an unusual public display of irritation from Carlos Alcaraz, who is known for his upbeat demeanor and sportsmanship.
Momentum shift and strong response
The interruption appeared to disrupt his rhythm. Khachanov edged out the opening set in a tiebreak, capitalizing on the momentary shift in momentum. Yet Alcaraz quickly regrouped, raising his intensity from the baseline and tightening his serve under pressure.
Competing in his first tournament since completing the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open earlier this season, the 22-year-old demonstrated resilience beyond the controversy. He stormed back to claim the next two sets 6-4, 6-3, sealing his place in the semifinals.
Despite the earlier disagreement, Alcaraz shook hands with Cicak at the conclusion of the match, signaling that tensions had cooled.
Composure tested on the big stage
While the time violation episode briefly overshadowed the contest, it ultimately underscored Alcaraz’s competitive fire.
High-stakes moments often test even the most composed champions, and Doha offered a reminder that passion remains central to his on-court identity.
By overcoming both Khachanov and the mid-match controversy, Carlos Alcaraz reinforced his status as the man to beat. If anything, the flare-up served as proof that beneath the calm exterior lies an unyielding drive to control every point — and every second — on his path to victory.
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