World No1 Carlos Alcaraz launched into a furious rant at umpire Fergus Murphy during the Japan Open final, accusing the official of rushing him between points in his showdown with Taylor Fritz.
The Spaniard, who eventually took the opening set 6-4, became visibly agitated in the early stages of the match as he complained about the timing of the shot clock.
Alcaraz felt Murphy was allowing it to start too quickly after points had ended, leaving him without the chance to fully recover or go through his serving routine.
The Spainard stormed over to the chair umpire after Fritz had held from 0-40 down, shouting: “Do you think this is normal? You never played tennis in your life!”
Carlos Alcaraz was furious with the umpire in his Japan Open match
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Murphy explained that he was not manually controlling the countdown and that the system was automatic, but his response did little to calm the 22-year-old.
Alcaraz continued to protest and gestured towards his team in frustration before eventually regaining composure on court.
The 22-year-old soon found a way to channel his anger, breaking Fritz and then holding serve to clinch the first set.
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This is not the first time Alcaraz has raised concerns about the 25-second rule. He has been outspoken on the issue at Queen’s Club in each of the past two years, arguing that players are not given adequate time to reset.
When the clock was first trialled at Queen’s, Alcaraz said he would hold talks with the ATP to voice his concerns.
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Carlos Alcaraz went on to win the match and the tournament
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At the time, he explained: “There is a new rule, this new thing, that the clock never stops. After the point is finished, the clock is putting on. I think for the players it’s something bad. I finish the point at the net and I had no time to ask for balls. I’m not saying to go to a towel and take my time. I feel like I can’t ask for the balls.”
The issue resurfaced earlier this year at Queen’s when Alcaraz was given a time violation against Arthur Rinderknech in the quarter-finals.
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Speaking to Tennis Channel afterwards, he said the heat and length of the rallies made it “impossible” to recover in time: “It was really, really hot out there, and yeah, really long rallies, long games.
"I felt like I had no time to recover between points. I was in a rush all the time.”
Carlos Alcaraz had the same issue at Queens Club earlier this season
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Alcaraz also argued that the rules interfere with his pre-serve rituals, adding: “It’s crazy. I have time just to ask for two balls and no bounces. I’ve never seen something like that in tennis.
"If you play a long point or finish at the net, you have time just to go for a towel or ask for your routine. Today I felt like I was in a rush all the time. I had no time to bounce and do my routine.”