I’ve been thinking about why Roger Federer didn’t use drop shots as frequently or as aggressively as Carlos Alcaraz does today. For me, Roger mainly used the drop shot as a strategic tool—to construct a point, change the rhythm, or surprise his opponent at the right moment. He rarely used it as a primary weapon to hit outright winners or to dominate games through repetition. In contrast, Alcaraz incorporates drop shots much more aggressively and more often. Even when opponents anticipate them and respond with strong returns, Alcaraz seems confident that he can recover the point using his exceptional athleticism and anticipation.
I don’t think Federer had the same level of explosive athleticism as Alcaraz, and very few players in history do. Alcaraz appears comfortable creating extremely difficult situations for himself because he trusts his speed, court coverage, and reflexes to handle the next shot—even if the drop shot comes back sharply or at a tough angle. Federer, on the other hand, seemed more selective. He used the drop shot when he was certain it would be effective or when he wanted to disrupt the tempo of the rally, rather than engaging in physically demanding exchanges that required repeated sprints forward and backward.
What really stands out about Alcaraz is how he creates such acute angles from both his forehand and backhand, often with remarkable margin and consistency. While watching the tournament, it felt like he had another level available at all times. There were moments when he dominated one-sidedly, then suddenly made errors and seemed to lose momentum. But just when it appeared he might drop his level permanently, he would raise it again. That ability to shift gears suggests he understands his own margin and trusts his aggressive style. In this particular performance, it looked as though he knew he could win the tournament by committing fully to that aggressive approach.
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