Overview
- The world No. 1 beat Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3 in the Indian Wells second round to extend his unbeaten 2026 start.
- After the match, he argued that only a couple of chair umpires apply the 25-second rule too rigidly, saying those officials "don’t understand tennis at all."
- He said no ATP official has approached him about the issue and added he won’t "waste" time lodging complaints given past inaction.
- The dispute intensified at the Qatar Open, where a time-violation call by chair umpire Marija Cicak after a long rally prompted a heated exchange.
- Alcaraz has called for more flexibility or clearer discretion on the shot clock following exhausting points, while repeated delays would still merit penalties.