(Watch) Carlos Alcaraz reprimanded for time violations at ATP China Open 2024

Carlos Alcaraz beat Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in opening round of China Open 2024.

Carlos Alcaraz made a successful return to China Open 2024 with a comprehensive win in the opening match. But the win came with its own challenges as Alcaraz was served with multiple time violations. While the match saw Alcaraz defeating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in straight sets, fans also witnessed the Spaniard exchanging a few words with chair umpire Raluca Andrei.

Alcaraz received two time violations in the opening set. But the second violation came at a crucial juncture as he lost his first serve during set point. Alcaraz then argued with Andrei saying,’ I’m always very quick, I never get warnings, you gave me two in a set. It’s impossible to play tennis like this.’

Alcaraz, usually very quick between points, gets a second time violation in this game and loses his first serve on set point.Looks like Beijing is using an automatic shotclock like the Queen's Club did — and he struggled with it as well."This is not tennis" pic.twitter.com/LVeLSt3tVk

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 27, 2024

لقطة غضب ألكاراز واعتراضه على حكم اللقاء بسبب حصوله على Time Violation لانتهاك الوقت المُخصّص للإرسال 😡"لا أستطيع لعب التنس بهذه الطريقة، ما هذا ؟!"#ChiinaOpen pic.twitter.com/YKIYAP3N1a

— عشاق التنس Arab Tennis (@ArabTennis20) September 27, 2024

Although it cost Alcaraz his first serve it did not affect his mindset further. He went on to win the set 6-4 and the scores were the same in the second. It was the first meeting between the pair on the ATP tour and Alcaraz made sure Fils continued his giant killing run as he had upset Taylor Fritz in the opening match.

Alcaraz will next face Tallon Griekspoor and has beaten the Dutchman thrice in as many meetings. Griekspoor is yet to win a set against Alcaraz.

Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz’s projected path to ATP China Open 2024 final

What is a time code violation in Tennis?

Players are expected to serve within a certain time period during a match. ATP and WTA players have a time frame of 25 seconds to serve for the next point. Once the clock crosses 25 seconds, they are given a time violation.

Since 2013, ATP and WTA tour have set rules which state that the first time violation will result in a warning. The second time violation will invite a fault for the server which was the case for Alcaraz in China Open 2024. The world No #3 lost his first serve as he did not complete his service in the 25 seconds time frame.

The fixed timeframe of 25 seconds is given to players so that minimum time is taken between points during a match. Players such as Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have been dealing with time violations during serve. Even they have faced trouble with the rule as it affects their routine during serve.

The rule has invited criticism of speeding up the service of players. Their usual routine may last longer than 25 seconds due to habit. But on the other hand, the receiver also faces exhaustion when the routine goes on for too long as they get impatient to return the serve.

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