Medvedev v. Alcaraz

[Fabresque]

Let’s have a discussion real quick about these two.

Medvedev came into the tour and his success has been on the back of his incredible defensive capabilities, close to unparalleled retrieving, and his ability to make 100+ balls in a row. Coupled with one of the biggest serves on tour and his unorthodox, flat strokes, he’s already managed to reach world No.1 and win a slam.

Alcaraz’s meteoric rise has come with a change in the way the game is played. Ultra aggressive, first strike tennis, having one of the most powerful and intense groundstrokes on tour, alongside an unseen level of variety from a world no.1 we haven’t seen since Federer. At the age of 19 he won his first grand slam and reached the summit of the sport.

So my question is, with two polarizing styles, who becomes a problem for who? Does Medvedev’s neo-defensive retrieval cripple Carlos’ aggressive shot-making?

Or does Alcaraz’s intense rapid-fire aggression put a hole in the defenses of Daniil?


They’ve played only once before, Wimbledon 2021. Where Medvedev handily beat Alcaraz 6-4 6-1 6-2. But I really wanna see this matchup badly now that Alcaraz has improved.

 

[mahatma]

Let’s have a discussion real quick about these two.

Medvedev came into the tour and his success has been on the back of his incredible defensive capabilities, close to unparalleled retrieving, and his ability to make 100+ balls in a row. Coupled with one of the biggest serves on tour and his unorthodox, flat strokes, he’s already managed to reach world No.1 and win a slam.

Alcaraz’s meteoric rise has come with a change in the way the game is played. Ultra aggressive, first strike tennis, having one of the most powerful and intense groundstrokes on tour, alongside an unseen level of variety from a world no.1 we haven’t seen since Federer. At the age of 19 he won his first grand slam and reached the summit of the sport.

So my question is, with two polarizing styles, who becomes a problem for who? Does Medvedev’s neo-defensive retrieval cripple Carlos’ aggressive shot-making?

Or does Alcaraz’s intense rapid-fire aggression put a hole in the defenses of Daniil?


They’ve played only once before, Wimbledon 2021. Where Medvedev handily beat Alcaraz 6-4 6-1 6-2. But I really wanna see this matchup badly now that Alcaraz has improved.

No poll on eventual h2h % wins etc?

 

[Fabresque]

No poll on eventual h2h % wins etc?

Just added one so feel free to vote.

 

[mahatma]

Just added one so feel free to vote.

Thanks.

Though this rivalry will be surface dependent. Don't see Medvedev being a big force in clay anytime soon. Grass is even I think. Hard court is where main rivalry is - where Medvedev at full strength should be able to beat Alcaraz early on in next few years. Post that Medvedev declines and we will see Alcaraz take over the tennis World completely.

 

[Lauren_Girl']

Just added one so feel free to vote.

Depends...
Medvedev has a double personality...
The Medvedev from this week, Astana or USO2021 would absolutely destroy Alcaraz. Just like he destroyed Thiem and Sinner this week.
Alcaraz will beat him on the other surfaces and Medvedev's version from this year until the USO.

 

[Zoid]

Peak meddy would be a problem on HC and grass. Alcaraz handily beats him on clay.

 

[Rafa4LifeEver]

If Medvedev Serves as well as he has been after USO this year or AO-22 & before, current Alcaraz is not going to be beat him on low bouncing courts.

 

[AgassiSuperSlam11]

Playing at Indoor HC Med is going to be a problem for Alcaraz as FAA has already proven. FAA already has registered 3 Indoor HC wins against Carlos. Alcaraz fans are now complaining about the disproportionate indoor HC matches with FAA and prefer to face him in Clay or slower outdoor HC (cat 1 or 2) as Mexico, IW, or Miami. Actually surprised that Alcaraz decided to play Basel (Cat 3-Green Set) instead of Vienna (Cat 2 Rebound Ace Synpave). The bottom line is that Alcaraz to win the faster surfaces with lower bounce and flatter ball is going to need develop a stronger slice bh and a more punishing serve. He is 19 and has plenty of time to improve.

Nonetheless, I stick with my old prediction that he ends with 4-8 slams. Don't think there will be another 20-slam winner.

 

[dking68]

Playing at Indoor HC Med is going to be a problem for Alcaraz as FAA has already proven. FAA already has registered 3 Indoor HC wins against Carlos. Alcaraz fans are now complaining about the disproportionate indoor HC matches with FAA and prefer to face him in Clay or slower outdoor HC (cat 1 or 2) as Mexico, IW, or Miami. Actually surprised that Alcaraz decided to play Basel (Cat 3-Green Set) instead of Vienna (Cat 2 Rebound Ace Synpave). The bottom line is that Alcaraz to win the faster surfaces with lower bounce and flatter ball is going to need develop a stronger slice bh and a more punishing serve. He is 19 and has plenty of time to improve.

Nonetheless, I stick with my old prediction that he ends with 4-8 slams. Don't think there will be another 20-slam winner.

So no double digit slam winners in your eye? I mean he’s the best prospect to achieve that

 

[AgassiSuperSlam11]

So no double digit slam winners in your eye? I mean he’s the best prospect to achieve that

There are patterns in Tennis in both the ATP and WTA where there are fewer and plentiful GS champs. I think the next 15 years (if mother earth still exists) will see something similar to the 1980's-1990's which had a gap between Borg and Sampras with no double-digit slam winner. I think Djokovic likely still has 2 more slams and Nadal maybe one more. My gut tells me that Med and Zverev may still win 2-3 slams, and this will be split with Alcaraz, FAA, Sinner, and possibly Rune. Perhaps wishful thinking, but I think it would great if the sport had multiple slam winners opposed to having 3 guys win 63 slams between them.

 

[duaneeo]

Medvedev came into the tour and his success has been on the back of his incredible defensive capabilities, close to unparalleled retrieving, and his ability to make 100+ balls in a row. Coupled with one of the biggest serves on tour and his unorthodox, flat strokes, he’s already managed to reach world No.1 and win a slam.

"Already"? 'About time' is more like it.

 

[Fabresque]

Wanted to bump after their US Open meeting.

Everybody thought Raz had the playbook on Med but doesn’t look like it.

H2H: 2-2

HC’s: 1-1. Alcaraz won IW final. Medvedev won US Open SF.

Grass: 1-1. Both at Wimbledon. Both straight set demolitions on either side.

We’ve got a rivalry here, folks.

 

[ppma]

Everybody thought Raz had the playbook on Med but doesn’t look like it.

Carlos can have the playbook on anyone because he has all the tools, and the tools are sharp. Yet, he goes towards the aggressive game style, which is a problem if your game is not tuned for one day. That can happen any day, against any player. Yesterday it happened against Med, who made one of the matches of his life, hence the result.

 

[RS]

Playing at Indoor HC Med is going to be a problem for Alcaraz as FAA has already proven. FAA already has registered 3 Indoor HC wins against Carlos. Alcaraz fans are now complaining about the disproportionate indoor HC matches with FAA and prefer to face him in Clay or slower outdoor HC (cat 1 or 2) as Mexico, IW, or Miami. Actually surprised that Alcaraz decided to play Basel (Cat 3-Green Set) instead of Vienna (Cat 2 Rebound Ace Synpave). The bottom line is that Alcaraz to win the faster surfaces with lower bounce and flatter ball is going to need develop a stronger slice bh and a more punishing serve. He is 19 and has plenty of time to improve.

Nonetheless, I stick with my old prediction that he ends with 4-8 slams. Don't think there will be another 20-slam winner.

Ever?

 

[mahatma]

Thanks.

Though this rivalry will be surface dependent. Don't see Medvedev being a big force in clay anytime soon. Grass is even I think. Hard court is where main rivalry is - where Medvedev at full strength should be able to beat Alcaraz early on in next few years. Post that Medvedev declines and we will see Alcaraz take over the tennis World completely.

One year back almost and still holds true I think

 

[tex123]

Let’s have a discussion real quick about these two.

Medvedev came into the tour and his success has been on the back of his incredible defensive capabilities, close to unparalleled retrieving, and his ability to make 100+ balls in a row. Coupled with one of the biggest serves on tour and his unorthodox, flat strokes, he’s already managed to reach world No.1 and win a slam.

Alcaraz’s meteoric rise has come with a change in the way the game is played. Ultra aggressive, first strike tennis, having one of the most powerful and intense groundstrokes on tour, alongside an unseen level of variety from a world no.1 we haven’t seen since Federer. At the age of 19 he won his first grand slam and reached the summit of the sport.

So my question is, with two polarizing styles, who becomes a problem for who? Does Medvedev’s neo-defensive retrieval cripple Carlos’ aggressive shot-making?

Or does Alcaraz’s intense rapid-fire aggression put a hole in the defenses of Daniil?


They’ve played only once before, Wimbledon 2021. Where Medvedev handily beat Alcaraz 6-4 6-1 6-2. But I really wanna see this matchup badly now that Alcaraz has improved.

Med is only exceptional on hard courts. US Open is his turf.

Alcaraz is phenomenal on grass and clay. I don't think we can call Alcaraz an exceptional hard court player. He did not win any titles on hard. He won some last year but they were not very convincing. I'm sure he'll improve his hard court game.

He can beat Med easily with his crafty play but not by blasting through him. He knows that too.