Carlos Alcaraz became one of the youngest champions in Queen’s Club history when he lifted the trophy in 2023.
The 20-year-old defeated Australian Alex de Minaur 6-4, 6-4 to secure the first grass-court title of his professional career.
However, Alcaraz is far from the youngest to have lifted the prestigious Queen’s Club trophy in West London.
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Around 41 years ago, Boris Becker made history at the Queen’s Club Championships
Boris Becker is the youngest Queen’s champion in tennis history
In 1985, 17-year-old Boris Becker won his first ever ATP Tour title.
Becker, seeded 11th in London, began the tournament by defeating three Americans: Todd Nelson, Dan Cassidy and David Pate.
Becker then knocked out future Wimbledon champion Pat Cash, beating the Australian 6-4, 6-4.
The teenager’s excellent run continued in the semi-finals with a straight sets victory over Australia’s Paul McNamee.
In the final, Becker stunned fourth seed Johan Kriek, winning 6-3, 6-2.
It was an extra special victory for Becker, whose parents were in the stadium to watch him play – much to the surprise of the German youngster.
“I looked at my coach [a few points before clinching victory] and he pointed to the balcony,” Becker said after the final, as per the Los Angeles Times.
“I looked into the crowd and he kept on pointing upwards until I saw them. I did not know they were coming over.”
Boris Becker’s Queen’s final appearances
- 1985: defeated Johan Kriek 6-3, 6-2
- 1987: defeated Jimmy Connors 6–7, 6–3, 6–4
- 1988: defeated Stefan Edberg 6–1, 3–6, 6–3
- 1990: lost to Ivan Lendl 3-6, 2-6
- 1996: defeated Stefan Edberg 6-4, 7-6
Meanwhile, Kriek made a bold prediction about his young opponent.
“If he plays like that every day at Wimbledon, Becker can win the tournament.
“On top of his serve, he hits some incredible shots.”
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Boris Becker won the 1985 Wimbledon Championships
Less than a month after his triumph at Queen’s, Becker became the youngest Wimbledon Men’s Singles champion in tennis history.
Becker was aged 17 years, seven months and 15 days when he defeated America’s Kevin Curren 6-3, 6-7, 7-6, 6-4 on Wimbledon Centre Court.
“This is going to change tennis in Germany,” Becker said after the final, as reported by the BBC. “I am the first Wimbledon winner and now they have an idol.”
Becker went on to win two more Wimbledon titles: in 1986 and 1989.
Becker defeated Ivan Lendl in the 1986 final, and Stefan Edberg in the 1989 final.
Becker qualified for three further Wimbledon finals: in 1990, 1991 and 1995.
He was defeated by Stefan Edberg, Michael Stich and Pete Sampras, respectively.
