Carlos Alcaraz sounded off on the shot clock rule before his shocking Miami Masters exit as the No. 2 seed seemingly thought chair umpire Simon Cannavan should have been more understanding for certain situations and gave more time before pressing the shot clock button.
Although the Spaniard didn’t face any break points in the third game of the second set, it was a very tight game that lasted around five minutes. During the changeover that followed, the 2022 Miami champion had something he wanted to address with the chair 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 heard complaining to Cannavan.
Rarely complains but when he does pay heed! The shot clock is the first rule that needs reform before anything else! pic.twitter.com/LYlJTKyReC
— TG (@Tennisgeeking) March 22, 2025
Alcaraz lost his Miami opener after airing his frustration
When the match resumed, the Spanish tennis star got broken in the ninth game as Goffin went 5-4 up before serving out for the second set in the following game. After winning the last three games of the second set, the 55th-ranked Belgian also started the decider with a 2-0 lead and earned his third break of the match in the ninth game to complete a 5-7 6-4 6-3 win.
Alcaraz, who sprayed a stunning 43 unforced errors against Goffin, kept it very honest after his defeat.
“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,” the No. 2 seed said after his Miami exit.
Before the Goffin loss, Alcaraz was also beaten by Jack Draper in the Indian Wells Masters semifinal.
Tennis World USA