Carlos Alcaraz is the most well-rounded player ever (or will be)

[GoldenSwing]

I haven’t seen any player with as little weaknesses as him:

- Hardest Hitter off both wings on tour, maybe ever. His MPH every match is absurd

- GOAT candidate forehand, it will probably finish in the top 3 with Nadal and Fed. It captures Fed’s speed with Nadal’s heavy RPM

- Djokovic like backhand. Can use the open stance slide at a high level and flick low balls with his left hand. Down the line is dangerous, cross court could be better. It’s also an ATG stroke, but I’m not sure where on the list.

- Exceptional Defense and court coverage

- Great touch, eager to finish every point at the net with Volleys. I believe he finishes points at the net more than anyone in the top 100 right now

- World class drop shot off FH and BH side that pairs well with his game

- Phenomenal 2nd Serve for a guy who is 6 foot

- Mental strength is resilient and intimidating

- Physical monster, doesn’t seem to get tired

Weaknesses:

- Point Construction can be questionable at times. Quick to rush points despite his skillset

- First Serve is his biggest area to improve, foundation wise. Placement can be weak

- Can go cold in consistency throughout a match. Maybe I’m used to watching Nadal and Djokovic who are essentially walls

 

[helterskelter]

Return of serve a bit weak.

 

[GoldenSwing]

Return of serve a bit weak.

I forgot to add this actually. It was going to be one of my points. Yes, you are right. He is great at getting some stretch returns, but overall the consistency and putting the ball back in play is an issue

 

[BenC]

- Djokovic like backhand. Can use the open stance slide at a high level and flick low balls with his left hand. Down the line is dangerous, cross court could be better. It’s also an ATG stroke, but I’m not sure where on the list.

I'm not completely sold on that BH ... I watched him catch the tape so often going DTL (vs Zverev I think?) that I wanted to smash my own racquets out of frustration.

 

[Slicehand]

I haven’t seen any player with as little weaknesses as him:

- Hardest Hitter off both wings on tour, maybe ever. His MPH every match is absurd

- GOAT candidate forehand, it will probably finish in the top 3 with Nadal and Fed. It captures Fed’s speed with Nadal’s heavy RPM

- Djokovic like backhand. Can use the open stance slide at a high level and flick low balls with his left hand. Down the line is dangerous, cross court could be better. It’s also an ATG stroke, but I’m not sure where on the list.

- Exceptional Defense and court coverage

- Great touch, eager to finish every point at the net with Volleys. I believe he finishes points at the net more than anyone in the top 100 right now

- World class drop shot off FH and BH side that pairs well with his game

- Phenomenal 2nd Serve for a guy who is 6 foot

- Mental strength is resilient and intimidating

- Physical monster, doesn’t seem to get tired

Weaknesses:

- Point Construction can be questionable at times. Quick to rush points despite his skillset

- First Serve is his biggest area to improve, foundation wise. Placement can be weak

- Can go cold in consistency throughout a match. Maybe I’m used to watching Nadal and Djokovic who are essentially walls

In my opinion, ive never seen a 19 year old so complete, ever...

 

[Slicehand]

Return of serve a bit weak.

More bad decisions than technique really, more of an inexperience thing, but i wouldnt call it a weakness

 

[dking68]

Will get blown off the court by Sinner, circa late 2023. Then we will have to re-evaluate if he’s really well rounded

 

[Slicehand]

I'm not completely sold on that BH ... I watched him catch the tape so often going DTL (vs Zverev I think?) that I wanted to smash my own racquets out of frustration.

Against zverev it looked more like nerves and not knowing exactly how to play, he has that backhand down the line, its not a perfect backhand yet but very good, specially when he already has that incredible forehand

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Lets see what he does next year first when there are no Ruud/Tiafoe Semis and Finals. LOL and the tour is healthy and everyone is playing. He will soon become the hunted. Whatever "weapons" he does have now they need to be improved upon because hes barely winning matches against Mugs

 

[dking68]

Lets see what he does next year first when there are no Ruud/Tiafoe Semis and Finals. LOL. He will soon become the hunted

Sinner will blow him off the court in the finals. He will ask with his pathetic whining self his coach “where to serve”

 

[NoleFam]

His return is still a weakness. Sinner exploited that badly in their matches in both Slams this year. He eeked it out at the USO though despite this. He has a good backhand but not Djokovic tier. I agree with most of everything else.

 

[Slicehand]

Lets see what he does next year first when there are no Ruud/Tiafoe Semis and Finals. LOL. He will soon become the hunted

No sinner either? Who will be at the masters? Some players better than nadal, djokovic and zverev? Back to back to back? Yeah he is in deep trouble, its been all to easy, most players could have done it

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

Sinner will blow him off the court in the finals. He will ask with his pathetic whining self his coach “where to serve”

I think so too. People hyping up Carlos like Slicebread when they fail to realize Sinner is every dang bit as good as he is really. Just needs improve on the serve

 

[Slicehand]

His return is still a weakness. Sinner exploited that badly in their matches in both Slams this year. He eeked it out at the USO though despite this.

I think it was more sinner returning amazing himself, exposing alcarsz serve, more than anything, that said, he made many bad decisions on return, specially at umag in break points

 

[Sampras-Bruguera 1993]

No sinner either? Who will be at the masters? Some players better than nadal, djokovic and zverev? Back to back to back? Yeah he is in deep trouble, its been all to easy, most players could have done it

If Djokovic/Sinner/Zverev all played and stood in his way, I hightly doubt Alcaraz wins the open. Do you?

 

[NoleFam]

I think it was more sinner returning amazing himself, exposing alcarsz serve, more than anything, that said, he made many bad decisions on return, specially at umag in break points

He didn't break Sinner's serve not one time at Wimbledon this year. He's definitely not an elite returner on grass yet, but yes Sinner did return great at Wimbledon and USO.

 

[Slicehand]

If Djokovic/Sinner/Zverev all played and stood in his way, I hightly doubt Alcaraz wins the open. Do you?

It would have been more difficult yeah, not imposible, he has beaten every of those players at least once, even if it was a 3 setter, still final rounds of a masters, think of any 19 year old able to do it?

 

[Slicehand]

He didn't break Sinner's serve not one time at Wimbledon this year. He's definitely not an elite returner on grass yet, but yes Sinner did return great at Wimbledon and USO.

But why didnt he break? You know he had 16 break points between those 2 matches right? Totally mental aproach, its not that he cant return good, he has done some crazy returns, he broke sinner at uso wigh some amazing returns, only that he was making bad decisions in those two matches, and also sinner was serving quite good, specially at wimbledon

 

[Rogibear]

I haven’t seen any player with as little weaknesses as him:

- Hardest Hitter off both wings on tour, maybe ever. His MPH every match is absurd

- GOAT candidate forehand, it will probably finish in the top 3 with Nadal and Fed. It captures Fed’s speed with Nadal’s heavy RPM

- Djokovic like backhand. Can use the open stance slide at a high level and flick low balls with his left hand. Down the line is dangerous, cross court could be better. It’s also an ATG stroke, but I’m not sure where on the list.

- Exceptional Defense and court coverage

- Great touch, eager to finish every point at the net with Volleys. I believe he finishes points at the net more than anyone in the top 100 right now

- World class drop shot off FH and BH side that pairs well with his game

- Phenomenal 2nd Serve for a guy who is 6 foot

- Mental strength is resilient and intimidating

- Physical monster, doesn’t seem to get tired

Weaknesses:

- Point Construction can be questionable at times. Quick to rush points despite his skillset

- First Serve is his biggest area to improve, foundation wise. Placement can be weak

- Can go cold in consistency throughout a match. Maybe I’m used to watching Nadal and Djokovic who are essentially walls

Incredible kick serve for a guy who is UNDER 6 foot you mean. Gotta get the basics right

 

[Rogibear]

Incredible kick serve for a guy who is UNDER 6 foot you mean. They don't call him tiny for nothing you know

 

[Slicehand]

Incredible kick serve for a guy who is UNDER 6 foot you mean. Gotta get the basics right

Yeah that kicker doesnt get enough credit, great acceleration and he mixes it in the first serve sometimes getting the returner out of rythm, some of those kickers were aces and not one or two, others just took the other player out of the court so much that he didnt even try to catch the next easy shot to the open court

 

[NoleFam]

But why didnt he break? You know he had 16 break points between those 2 matches right? Totally mental aproach, its not that he cant return good, he has done some crazy returns, he broke sinner at uso wigh some amazing returns, only that he was making bad decisions in those two matches, and also sinner was serving quite good, specially at wimbledon

He had 7 bp opportunities at Wimbledon and won only 29% return points. Anything below 30% isn't good and Sinner is not a huge server. I can imagine what his numbers would have been if he played Kyrgios, for example. On grass, right now he is not a great returner. He's a better one on hardcourt but still there is room for improvement.

 

[Slicehand]

He had 7 bp opportunities at Wimbledon and won only 29% return points. Anything below 30% isn't good and Sinner is not a huge server. I can imagine what his numbers would have been if he played Kyrgios, for example. On grass, right now he is not a great returner. He's a better one on hardcourt but still there is room for improvement.

Grass is the place where he has the greatest room for improvement, lets not forget that he went into wimbledon with just two profesional grass matches under his belt, i think he did pretty well given the circumstances, he even had a bad elbow and was playing with that uncomfortable thing in the arm, in the match against sinner, i just think sinner disconected him tactically, sinner was playing great that wimbledon, and was the first to not be bothered by alcaraz serve, he even served 40 aces against griekspoor, but agaisnt sinner, he was able to return everyone of his serves to his feet and two inches from the baseline, so he couldnt find a solution, even so, he found a way to win a set just by talent, and to play a decent 5th, but he was totally in the wrong place the whole match, not one easy point for him, and of course his return game can improve in any surface but i just dont find his return a real weakness, maybe his mental aproach on the return sometimes is, but i call that experience, for me, his bigest weakness is inexperience

 

[NoleFam]

Grass is the place where he has the greatest room for improvement, lets not forget that he went into wimbledon with just two profesional grass matches under his belt, i think he did pretty well given the situation, he even had a bad shoulder and was playing with that uncomfortable thing in the arm, in the match against sinner, i just think sinner disconected him tactically, sinner was playing great that wimbledon, and was the first to not be bothered by alcaraz serve, he even served 40 aces against griekspoor, but agaisnt sinner, he was able to return everyone of his serves to his feet and two inches fron the baseline, so he coulsnt find a solution, even so, he found a way to win a set just by talent, and to play a decent 5th, but he was totally in the wrong place the whoke match, not an easy point for him, and of course his return game can improve in any surface, i just dont find his return a weakness, maybe his mental aproach sometimes on the return is, but i call that experience, for me, his bigest weakness is experience

He served 40 aces against Griekspoor when? It wasn't at Wimbledon. Alcaraz did very well to make the 4th round of Wimbledon at 19 years old. He's already making strides on the surface at a young age but he has a lot to improve on to master the surface, starting with the return. Federer and Sampras took longer to make strides and had multiple losses in the 1st round. To me, grass is the hardest surface to master but probably also the easiest to dominate because once you master it, not many players will be on your level because not many can reach that elite level plus it's the easiest on the body. He's young so we will see how he does in a few years but yes I watched the match, and he cannot return as well as the best on grass yet. That's a weakness but he can get better.

 

[Tshooter]

OP is the most well-rounded ever (or will be).

 

[Slicehand]

He served 40 aces against Griekspoor when? It wasn't at Wimbledon. Alcaraz did very well to make the 4th round of Wimbledon at 19 years old. He's already making strides on the surface at a young age but he has a lot to improve on to master the surface, starting with the return. Federer and Sampras took longer to make strides and had multiple losses in the 1st round. To me, grass is the hardest surface to master but probably also the easiest to dominate because once you master it, not many players will be on your level because not many can reach that elite level. He's young so we will see how he does in a few years but yes I watches the match, and he cannot return as well as the best on grass yet. That's a weakness but he can get better.

maybe it was agains struff or otte, i cant remember well, but he did make 40 aces, of course he cant return like the best on grass yet, but that to me is not a "weakness" , also, federer and sampras had better serve, that makes it easier, he ll take some time to play his best on grass, but i dont think it will be a weak surface for him in the future

 

[mahatma]

Fitness is top tier, fh is top tier, touch is top tier, court coverage is top tier

Serving is just okay, Backhand is below Sinner or Zverev

Returning is poor actually.

But we have seen slam winners with less than that as top tier, so ya has a great future.

 

[NoleFam]

maybe it was agains struff or otte, i cant remember well, but he did make 40 aces, of course he cant return like the best on grass yet, but that to me is not a "weakness" , also, federer and sampras had better serve, that makes it easier, he ll take some time to play his best on grass, but i dont think it will be a weak surface for him in the future

I think he will be an all surface player and be great on all of them but I am just giving my opinion on where I think his game is right now.

 

[Slicehand]

su

I think he will be an all surface player and be great on all of them but I am just giving my opinion on where his game is right now.

sure, i agree with wht you saying, but i also think he is the most complete 19 year old that i have seen ever, does that mean he will be the best i have ever seen? not necesarely, but in his first full year on tour, to have all those qualities, all the shots, the mental strength in important points... even federer at 19 was very far from that, nadal was more like it but he was never as complete, by far, so its exciting to think of how good he could get, given that he has the attitude to keep improving until he retires

 

[StrongRule]

Wow, that overreaction... Heard exactly the same stuff about Dimitrov in 2013-2014.

 

[Slicehand]

Wow, that overreaction... Heard exactly the same stuff about Dimitrov in 2013-2014.

hahhaha, yeah... i heard the same when he won 2 masters 2 atp 500 and a slam at 19, also when he was playing like carlos, it will end up the same, you are the real visionary

 

[StrongRule]

hahhaha, yeah... i heard the same when he won 2 masters 2 atp 500 and a slam at 19, also when he was playing like carlos, it will end up the same, you are the real visionary

As if Alcaraz was going to win a slam in 2013-2014.

 

[dking68]

Alcaraz is ****

 

[Slicehand]

As if Alcaraz was going to win a slam in 2013-2014.

well fact is you dont know, we just know dimitrov didnt, nor in any other year, so please...

 

[NoleFam]

su

sure, i agree with wht you saying, but i also think he is the most complete 19 year old that i have seen ever, does that mean he will be the best i have ever seen? not necesarely, but in his first full year on tour, to have all those qualities, all the shots, the mental strength in important points... even federer at 19 was very far from that, nadal was more like it but he was never as complete, by far, so its exciting to think of how good he could get, given that he has the attitude to keep improving until he retires

Yes he's great for a 19 year old, especially because he took to the surfaces so fast. He made at least the 4th round or better at RG, W and USO (3 different surfaces). That's usually a sign of a future great player when they do that at a young age. He's one of the best 19 year olds but I wasn't watching tennis in the 80s when there were some great teenagers as well.

 

[legcramp]

Wow, that overreaction... Heard exactly the same stuff about Dimitrov in 2013-2014.

Kirkland Fedor never made it to a slam final, tiny Carlo already have a slam under his belt.

 

[UnderratedSlam]

Will get blown off the court by Sinner, circa late 2023. Then we will have to re-evaluate if he’s really well rounded

A 19 year-old has a bigger window for improvement than a 21 year-old. On average.

 

[BauerAlmeida]

Djokovic 2011 is probably the most well-rounded player. Great of both wings, elite RoS, movement and mentality. Maybe the serve wasn't as strong as it became under Becker but well, nobody's perfect.

 

[StrongRule]

well fact is you dont know, we just know dimitrov didnt, nor in any other year, so please...

Given that Alcaraz lost a match to 2022 Nadal, it is safe to assume he isn't beating 2013 Nadal. Definitely not winning a slam.

Funny how everyone suddenly forgot about the current asterisk era. A few months ago you all remembered that very well.

 

[Beulah Jesus]

OP is the most well-rounded ever (or will be).

I think Sinner will give him a run for his money if he (Sinner) can stay consistent.

 

[Slicehand]

Given that Alcaraz lost a match to 2022 Nadal, it is safe to assume he isn't beating 2013 Nadal. Definitely not winning a slam.

Funny how everyone suddenly forgot about the current asterisk era. A few months ago you all remembered that very well.

I never talked about asterisks, whole life is an asterisk, doenst matter, either you beat the guys on your way to the trophy or you dont, not much more you can do to prove anything, darcis won against nadal, alcaraz wouldnt beat darcis either? Its all about match ups, maybe he would have taken a little bit longer, but if you cant see he is the more talented player since the big 3, i dont know what to tell you, fed and novak at 19 were average at best, just check the list with the players that had won 2 masters and a slam at 19, he would be the first not to be an atg, but i dont even care, i just care for the way he plays, maybe only federer made me jump off my seat so consistently with those amazing talented points, its just crazy the stuff he does, i would watch him with 0 titles, but, on top of that, he wins all this on his first full season on tour, what more can you ask? He even did that madrid thing, if you only see asterisks, you are missing some great tennis

 

[Tennfan123]

Serving and returning issues. So nope.

 

[Slicehand]

Serving and returning issues. So nope.

Serve and r

Serving and returning issues. So nope.

who was more complete at 19 then?

 

[Tennfan123]

Serve and r

who was more complete at 19 then?

Thats not the OP original question.
Next!

 

[Slicehand]

Thats not the OP original question.
Next!

how not? the thread title says he is the most complete at 19, you said no, i just would like to know your opinion of who was more so

 

[Tennfan123]

how not? the thread title says he is the most complete at 19, you said no, i just would like to know your opinion of who was more so

He doesn’t specify at 19. That’s what you’re doing.

 

[Slicehand]

He doesn’t specify at 19. That’s what you’re doing.

youre right, my bad, well given that we are here, do you think there ever was a more complete player at 19?, i tried to think about it, not one that i have seen in 20 years watching tennis, maybe before

 

[Tennfan123]

youre right, my bad, well given that we are here, do you think there ever was a more complete player at 19?, i tried to think about it, not one that i have seen in 20 years watching tennis, maybe before

Agassi.

 

[Slicehand]

Agassi.

oh come on you got to be kidding, i love agassi but he was far from complete at 19, or even after, he was always about the baseline

 

[Tennfan123]

oh come on you got to be kidding, i love agassi but he was far from complete at 19, or even after, he was always about the baseline

I might be kidding.
ok Alcaraz is best ever 19 year old.
Wait ... Safin. Del Potro. Hewitt.