A. Zverev has way more potential than Alcaraz
- Thread starter thomasferrett
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Forgive Me Father
Hall of Fame
I'm not sure what makes people think that.
Zverev is 4-3 against Federer, 4-7 against Djokovic, has won 2 YEC's, an Olympic Gold, beaten Djokovic or Federer in a combined 4 big title finals and many more SF's, and consistently performs at slams nowadays....
and people think he cannot keep up with the pressure?
You don't beat the Big 3 that regularly if you cannot handle pressure.
Fed is a good two inches taller. Alcaraz must have been measured with some seriously stiff hair product.
spottishwood
Hall of Fame
The only explanation I can present is that Alcaraz has grown an inch or two if he really is 6ft1. This photo dates back to 2019, so we could do with a somewhat recent photo of him.
Pics of him next to Nadal this year look the same.
Rafa4LifeEver
G.O.A.T.
Alcaraz can probably grow another 3-5 cms if we're taking biology right to the book
Yeah, by using HGH like Messi did to clear five feet.
Rafa4LifeEver
G.O.A.T.
I don't hate zverev. I've always maintained that he possesses a much higher peak level in the current generation of 23-28 yo players.
Rafa4LifeEver
G.O.A.T.
I don't think ATP would allow that. Also, HGH has a kind of reverse aging effect as well as far as I know
N01E
Hall of Fame
Why do people think that Alcaraz is so much mentally tougher than other next gen players? He already lost multiple matches were he only needed to keep his serve in order to win and lost a set from 5-0 up. His height is another issue, but that doesn't stop him from becoming GS champion. GOAT status seems out of the question without those extra inches though.
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
Tyson Fury
Mark-Touch
G.O.A.T.
But... Zverev is clumsy compared to Alcarez!
The Fedfather
Legend
I'm not talking about complete lack of mental strength, of course. Zverev does have big achievements and wins, just now he was pretty close to becoming the world #1, but these results are the reflection of Zverev's top level, which we know is great when his game is clicking and he is feeling confident. The issue is, his game can't always click, and in important matches when the pressure is already high, quite often Zverev fails to handle it properly when he starts struggling gamewise. His level either drops off a cliff or just stays at the bottom, depending on how he started. As I said, Zverev can hold under pressure, but problem one - it happens sporadically and he doesn't seem to have much control over his own reaction, and problem two - he's getting worse as the expectations grow.
My theory is that he has more anxiety than normal in general, and probably has fear of underperforming on his mind more often than strictly necessary, which adds more stress to the pressure of actual matches. If you're rooting for Zverev (as I frustratingly have been since the last year's USO
), you gotta be prepared for him to crumble at some point.MadariKatu
Hall of Fame
Yet he still hasn't been able to beat a top10 at a slam.
Forgive Me Father
Hall of Fame
I'm not talking about complete lack of mental strength, of course. Zverev does have big achievements and wins, just now he was pretty close to becoming the world #1, but these results are the reflection of Zverev's top level, which we know is great when his game is clicking and he is feeling confident. The issue is, his game can't always click, and in important matches when the pressure is already high, quite often Zverev fails to handle it properly when he starts struggling gamewise. His level either drops off a cliff or just stays at the bottom, depending on how he started. As I said, Zverev can hold under pressure, but problem one - it happens sporadically and he doesn't seem to have much control over his own reaction, and problem two - he's getting worse as the expectations grow.
My theory is that he has more anxiety than normal in general, and probably has fear of underperforming on his mind more often than strictly necessary, which adds more stress to the pressure of actual matches. If you're rooting for Zverev (as I frustratingly have been since the last year's USO
I have a completely different feel tbh.
Zverev is a narcissist who feels much less pressure than most.
This man went around destroying tournaments and bullying Nadal while he was heavily accused and rRothenberg came out with the reports...
it never even once bothered his on-court game cause he just does, not, care. He's a narcissist.
Everyone else would have crumbled under those allegations.
He continously played the best tennis of his life.
The Fedfather
Legend
If Zverev feels less pressure than most, why do you think he falters so often under pressure? I'm genuinely curious
NeutralEra
New User
Zverev practically speaking might not have much longer levers as he hits with a bent-arm while Carlos hits with a straight arm. Not to mention the technique difference represents talent as Zverev can never close that gap of how much more natural Alcaraz's strokes are.
ElChivoEspañol
Hall of Fame
“Being tall is a talent” - some guy on the internet 2022.
honk honk!
honk honk!
Forgive Me Father
Hall of Fame
Well surely I made clear that I don't feel that way.
2022 AO is probably the only time I feel he underperformed or "felt the pressure".
Other than that, he exceeds.
robthai
Hall of Fame
@thomasferrett Are you still alive?
Poisoned Slice
Bionic Poster
abmk
Bionic Poster
@thomasferrett threads never fail at failing!
Alcaraz may b 6ft or a bit less, but he has more natural and acquired talent than: Berrettini, Zverev, Medvedev and others over 6ft-2 and above. If I recall correctly be beat Medvedev 3-3 and 3 this Wimbledon as well as Berrettini with a different scoreline. Height does NOT definitely equal talent when it comes to tennis.
Zverev and Tsitsipas would be GS champions by now if they had the same mental strength as Carlitos. Zverev is very mobile for a 6’6” guy but is not in the same class as Carlitos.
TheNachoMan
Legend
No hits, all misses
Zverev does not serve better than Carlos, does not move as well, does not volley as well have better ground strokes or have all court strategy that Carlos has.
Soul_Evisceration
Hall of Fame
If Alcaraz would have Zverev’s first Serve and his BH, Alcaraz would be an even better player.
However, Zverev is inferior in other aspects.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
Alcaraz has improved his serve immensely. It's actually a weapon now, not a liability. For a sub 6' guy, hitting consistently in the 120s and can reach the 130s, that's impressive.
PistolPete23
Hall of Fame
Potentially even 5'11-6'3 if you include McEnroe and Agassi.
Soul_Evisceration
Hall of Fame
Oh I agree that Alcaraz has improved his Serve. However, I still think Zverev's first Serve can be in the 135-140 at his fastest which can make a difference vs in the 120s.
Of course it's all about placement as well.
NONSENSE!
NOT SO! Until some of the under thirty-year-old players start beating him on a regular basis, he is the best of that group of players. Also, it looks like Carlos will be number one for some time unless Novak has a good summer in the US, where he has no points to defend.
woody88
Rookie
This thread did not age well.
There is a lot to be said about desire, heart, and the will to win. Sasha is still trying to find that within himself. Whereas if you watch Alcaraz, it is as if he is already there. That's the big difference. Physical specimen is one, but you've got to have the drive to succeed. Zion Williamson is a perfect example in the NBA.
There is a lot to be said about desire, heart, and the will to win. Sasha is still trying to find that within himself. Whereas if you watch Alcaraz, it is as if he is already there. That's the big difference. Physical specimen is one, but you've got to have the drive to succeed. Zion Williamson is a perfect example in the NBA.
BeatlesFan
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Third Serve
Talk Tennis Guru
insideoutforehands
Semi-Pro
He definitely has more potential to play Raggedy Ann in a musical. That must be what you meant. I agree.
TheNachoMan
Legend
Yeah. Good point. However, I actually think Agassi's lack of that little extra height stopped him from being even better. The exact same Andre, but who's magically 6'1", is so much more dangerous, I contend. Especially against someone like Pete. He simply gets to more balls on, say, the return.
(Pre 1990 I don't know enough about so I won't comment on Mac.)
DSH
Bionic Poster
thomasferrett
Hall of Fame
Alive and kicking and I am only going to DOUBLE DOWN on what I initially said.
Alcaraz is the most overrated player of all time, and Zverev is only one sports psych sesh away from winning 30 Slams. You can't deny that height talent.
Wake me up when Alcaraz has won 25+ Slams, until then he's just a hype-job and hasn't achieved anything remarkable.
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