What does Carlos need to improve to get back on top?

[soldat]

Carlos Alcaraz has a pretty complete game, but it looks like Sinner is getting better fast in many aspects (serve, slice, net play, stronger legs) and Djokovic always looks to improve. Medvedev seems to be experimenting with playing more aggressively as he did in two sets of the AO final. What does Carlos need to improve to get back to #1 in the world and beat Djokovic, Sinner and other top players consistently to have a dominant year across all surfaces?

He needs to have better tactics or specific game plans for specific matches for sure. Often he gets behind playing aggressively and then goes for more to keep spraying more errors. But are there technique/footwork issues he should improve? Maybe better spot serving for sure? Maybe add a slice 2nd serve for variety in addition to the kick (like Djokovic). What else?

He lost in QF of AO, still got tons of masters and 3 more slams to go. He is only 20 and ranked 15th on this list. I think he is going to be just fine, just stay healthy and work on consistent and accurate play.

1	Novak Djokovic	$181,599,018	$955,665
2	Rafael Nadal	$134,659,704	$18,985
3	Roger Federer	$130,594,339	$0
4	Andy Murray	$64,333,456	$87,430
5	Pete Sampras	$43,280,489	$0
6	Alexander Zverev	$39,949,820	$1,401,000
7	Daniil Medvedev	$39,301,567	$1,153,162
8	Stan Wawrinka	$36,638,774	$80,220
9	David Ferrer	$31,483,911	$0
10	Marin Cilic	$31,294,696	$87,315
11	Andre Agassi	$31,152,975	$0
12	Dominic Thiem	$30,144,482	$86,620
13	Tomas Berdych	$29,491,328	$0
14	Stefanos Tsitsipas	$29,096,785	$476,045
15	Carlos Alcaraz	$27,427,247	$401,100
16	Juan Martin del Potro	$25,896,046	$0

 

[Crocodile]

The main thing Carlos needs to do is to keep
doing what he has already done but work on his concentration, intensity and consistency at critical times. He is doing just fine and he is the reigning Wimbledon Champion, so I think people are being a bit harsh if they think he is not doing well enough.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

Mainly point construction IMO. His shot selection is a bit weird at times and he can become predictable with his dropshots. Probably the serve too, as you said

How is serve the problem when that's what won him Wimbledon his serve was amazing and so clutch vs Djokovic

 

[InsideOut900]

There are 9 individuals who have managed to beat Carlos in the past year. At majors, he's lost to Novak, Daniil, and Zverev. Let's look at Nadal's 2007 season. He lost to Gonzalez at the AO, Federer at W, and Ferrer at USO. Losing to Novak for Carlos and Fed for Rafa are a wash. So you're telling me Gonzalez and Ferrer are better competition than Daniil and Zverev?

Losing in 5 sets to peak Federer on grass and cramping against a 36 years old Novak on clay isn't exactly a wash, lol. Nadal already developed a Slam winning game on grass by 2006 to expend on his clay success. In 2007 he was already peak.

And Gonzalez played a ridiculous tournament at AO 07, but that's irrelevant because Nadal was meh at AO 07 and injured at USO 07. He didn't really push for a HC Slam win until AO 09, that's true.

 

[weakera]

He lost in QF of AO, still got tons of masters and 3 more slams to go. He is only 20 and ranked 15th on this list. I think he is going to be just fine, just stay healthy and work on consistent and accurate play.

1	Novak Djokovic	$181,599,018	$955,665
2	Rafael Nadal	$134,659,704	$18,985
3	Roger Federer	$130,594,339	$0
4	Andy Murray	$64,333,456	$87,430
5	Pete Sampras	$43,280,489	$0
6	Alexander Zverev	$39,949,820	$1,401,000
7	Daniil Medvedev	$39,301,567	$1,153,162
8	Stan Wawrinka	$36,638,774	$80,220
9	David Ferrer	$31,483,911	$0
10	Marin Cilic	$31,294,696	$87,315
11	Andre Agassi	$31,152,975	$0
12	Dominic Thiem	$30,144,482	$86,620
13	Tomas Berdych	$29,491,328	$0
14	Stefanos Tsitsipas	$29,096,785	$476,045
15	Carlos Alcaraz	$27,427,247	$401,100
16	Juan Martin del Potro	$25,896,046	$0

Shohei Ohtani's deal is more than almost the top-16 career prize money earned combined

 

[Krish872007]

How is serve the problem when that's what won him Wimbledon his serve was amazing and so clutch vs Djokovic

It's not a problem as such - just needs a bit more consistency. Has not been as strong or effective since Cincinnati

 

[-NN-]

Serve, gameplans.

 

[rafaboy1998-2001]

People forget what it means to be a 20 year old phenom, it takes time to build consistency and experience for sustained high level results across multiple surfaces against elite competition. Nadal was 19 when he won his first FO, but he didn't win his first major outside of Paris until he reached 23. Djokovic won his first AO at 20 and then didn't win another major until 3 years later (when he started winning a lot more). A large part of it is mental as well. Game wise, Alcaraz is elite. He can improve the serve and some other things, but the biggest issue holding him back lately has been between the ears. I think obsessing over the rivalry with Novak and trying to hold the #1 ranking hurt him a bit. Fed was what, 21/22 when he won his first major. Sinner 22.

The media hype and pressure that was put on him from 18 years old caught up with him. Now that Sinner is the new chosen one, I think Alcaraz will find renewed focus and motivation to play his game at his best and rise again. Up until 3 months ago, Sinner was a 21 year old underachiever who essentially flopped at the biggest tournaments and collected some ATP 250 titles. Carlos is already ahead of the curve.

Nadal was 22 when he won Wimbledon in 2008.

 

[Rovesciarete]

Mostly his serve, his resilience mostly on the fh and his game plan. Even counter puncher are going big against him, just like they do against Sinner. Step a little bit back, put good balls in the right spot and he will attack naturally enough if there is half a chance.

 

[mahatma]

First and foremost - play to win and not to please.

Rest will follow

 

[TheSlicer]

First and foremost - play to win and not to please.

Rest will follow

All that comes from that silly on court interview, he was mostly joking, obviously a guy that has won 2 slams and 4 masters in 2 first years on tour is playing to win

 

[Tennfan123]

Carlos rushes and his shotmaking decisions, while inspired at times, can be rather careless.
Carlos depends too much on his team. He should cut them and hire an old touring pro not linked to an academy like Lendl.

 

[mahatma]

All that comes from that silly on court interview, he was mostly joking, obviously a guy that has won 2 slams and 4 masters in 2 first years on tour is playing to win

Nopes, it's coming from his actual game play where he goes for those bad droppers or lobs which mostly aren't required in a point where he is ahead.

Not saying his droppers or lobs aren't good. But it's about the timing of some of those shots. Elite guys just never let go advantage in a rally.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Either alcaraz needs to lose his smile or people need to rob it from him. He called it his superpower. Needs to be depowered. The youthful aspirations may have to be crushed.

 

[TheSlicer]

Nopes, it's coming from his actual game play where he goes for those bad droppers or lobs which mostly aren't required in a point where he is ahead.

Not saying his droppers or lobs aren't good. But it's about the timing of some of those shots. Elite guys just never let go advantage in a rally.

That changes with experience, also, what elite guys lol? The only player that has acomplished more last two years has been Djokovic, so not many players more elite than Carlos, he Will be alright, already does many things like a veteran at 20, others obviously not, and i mentioned the interview because everybody is saying now how he plays to entertain since that interview.

 

[nolefam_2024]

 

[nolefam_2024]

So much YOUTHful aspirations. He thought he would have it easy just like 2022. Let's see the smile gone first and then we can talk.

 

[TheSlicer]

So much YOUTHful aspirations. He thought he would have it easy just like 2022. Let's see the smile gone first and then we can talk.

Lol you want him to be sad or what? Some hate maybe?

 

[nolefam_2024]

Lol you want him to be sad or what? Some hate maybe?

The young players are always smiling it's not only applicable to Carlos. You can watch Monica Seles interviews when she was young.

He got too much money and fame because he was always smiling. No more smiling. Yes he can be sad when things don't work out on the court.

 

[FeroBango]

Resisting restlessness during neutral rallies first up. Then continuing to better his serve (it's getting better).

See, Carlos is famous for being able to make you play one more ball and hit the most impossible shots from end-range. So the potential for higher shot tolerance is here, obviously.

But when you bore him with silly neutral balls he succumbs. When you strip away his options however, he explodes at you with a myriad answers -- that's his genius.

Getting restless killed him against Zverev and it has killed him before. He has a top class pusher game in him and it needs to be something he can fall back on when his offensive range isn't working. He shouldn't be embarassed to ... push.

As far as smiling goes, I for one hope the likes of Mcenroe stop bringing it up to him but if that's what makes him happy, play better in process, he should keep smiling for all intents and purposes. Or maybe seethe if that's what he wants to do as long as he puts his head down and resists restlessness. Who am I to dictate what he should feel and emote?

Mental health is important. Carlos will continue to be champion with or without a smile on his face, but I'd rather him be happy and smiling while achieving great many things on the court.

 

[mahatma]

That changes with experience, also, what elite guys lol? The only player that has acomplished more last two years has been Djokovic, so not many players more elite than Carlos, he Will be alright, already does many things like a veteran at 20, others obviously not, and i mentioned the interview because everybody is saying now how he plays to entertain since that interview.

And world existed only for last 2 years. Fair enough.

OP specifically asked what he needs to improve. If you feel this is a superb level - so be it.

I didn't even mention the interview. I just said that playing to win is the most important facet of an elite player. Saying it doesn't mean that Alcaraz already isn't good - but there is a room for improvement.

 

[TheSlicer]

And world existed only for last 2 years. Fair enough.

OP specifically asked what he needs to improve. If you feel this is a superb level - so be it.

I didn't even mention the interview. I just said that playing to win is the most important facet of an elite player. Saying it doesn't mean that Alcaraz already isn't good - but there is a room for improvement.

Of course there is room for improvement, i said what i think he needs to improve, and basically most comes from experience

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

And world existed only for last 2 years. Fair enough.

I agree with this

 

[sportsfan1]

When Carlos first came on the tour, he was playing with a lot of freedom and creativity. The drop shots were high percentage and among the best ever. But the wimby title has tightened him up and the tour has figured out a few counter strategies. Right now he and his camp seem to think enjoying the game will bring back his creative play and winning, but it's probably not the solution.

He's getting overpowered and out rallied by the tall guys. You can see he's competed better against Djokovic than against sinner and zverev. JCF must already have known for a while they have this problem.

 

[Eureka]

Resisting restlessness during neutral rallies first up. Then continuing to better his serve (it's getting better).

See, Carlos is famous for being able to make you play one more ball and hit the most impossible shots from end-range. So the potential for higher shot tolerance is here, obviously.

But when you bore him with silly neutral balls he succumbs. When you strip away his options however, he explodes at you with a myriad options -- that's his genius.

Getting restless killed him against Zverev and it has killed him before. He has a top class pusher game in him and it needs to be something he can fall back on when his offensive range isn't working. He shouldn't be embarassed to ... push.

As far as smiling goes, I for one hope the likes of Mcenroe stop bringing it up to him but if that's what makes him happy, play better in process, he should keep smiling for all intents and purposes. Or maybe seethe if that's what he wants to do as long as he puts his head down and resists restlessness. Who am I to dictate what he should feel and emote?

Mental health is important. Carlos will continue to be champion with or without a smile on his face, but I'd rather him be happy and smiling while achieving great many things on the court.

Superb stuff. bulls eye on all fronts. Your point about playing ugly ( pushing) is very well made and I agree, it's a key consideration. I can't advocate a general pusher mentality / game, but it is vital to have a strategy to fall back on if not able to play his best game. His attacking instincts are his forte, and I can see how it would be against the grain to push at times, but excellence requires versatility that must include playing outside the comfort zone at times.

He lights up the place when he smiles and I hope he'll play his tennis with inspiration and joy, sharing that joy with those watching. He brings the crowd to life.
He needs to find and retain momentum as soon as possible, because nothing adds joy like winning a title! Whilst he is young, it would be useful avoid the doldrums.

 

[Clay lover]

I think his backhand is a little too stiff and flat. Doesn't get access to topspin easily. His athleticism still allows him to defend pretty well off that wing but it's not nearly as free-flowing or reliable as elite backhands due to the stiffness and lack of topspin.

 

[Razer]

Alcaarz needs to hire Rafael Nadal as his coach.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Andy Roddick analyses one area of Carlos Alcaraz's game that 'leaves a lot to be desired'

Andy Roddick has identified one area in the game of Carlos Alcaraz that "leaves a lot to be desired" and is the "most obvious place to improve" after his Australian Open campaign.

www.tennis365.com

 

[BeatlesFan]

People forget what it means to be a 20 year old phenom, it takes time to build consistency and experience for sustained high level results across multiple surfaces against elite competition.

Carlos won Wimbledon, two Masters 1000's and 3 other tournaments last year. Only on TTW is he relegated to mug status. The bandwagoners have all jumped on Sinner which means Carlos is a now officially a choking POS. If Sinner loses second round at the FO and Carlos wins it, then bandwagoners switch teams and then again, Alcaraz is the next GOAT and Sinner is a limp carrot. Predictable TTW behavior, never fails.

 

[Razer]

Carlos won Wimbledon, two Masters 1000's and 3 other tournaments last year. Only on TTW is he relegated to mug status. The bandwagoners have all jumped on Sinner which means Carlos is a now officially a choking POS. If Sinner loses second round at the FO and Carlos wins it, then bandwagoners switch teams and then again, Alcaraz is the next GOAT and Sinner is a limp carrot. Predictable TTW behavior, never fails.

Both Alcaraz and Sinner are winners and have a bright future ahead, possibly ATGs.

It is your boy Rune who looks hopeless and utter useless, a Zverev like future awaits him, back in 2017-2018 everybody used to Mollycoddle Zverev the way you are doing to Rune, saying he is just 20 and has time ahead, today look where he is, thats the future which awaits your Rune if he does not rise to the next level.

 

[nolefam_2024]

3 title on clay, 2 on grass courts and 1 on hard
he is becoming the copy of early Nadal. He has similar weakness as well, the serve. No idea why Nadal could not improve his serve but Alcaraz has a lot of time. Just 20.

4 title for Sinner. But his performance improved drastically in year end and now culminated in a dominant AO. He is going to have more success on all surfaces very soon.
Those jumping to Sinner bandwagon are very right. While Alcaraz has headstart, Sinner is more rounded guy. He has less weaknesses, his physique is only one thing suspect.

When Sinner hits ace down bps in corners, its something Federer like. Do you agree @Razer

 

[Fintft]

Be more aggresive, shorten the points. Less arrogant about the result.

 

[nolefam_2024]

For career bp saved % Raz is 63 and Sinner is puny 54%

But in last 1 year, Raz is 65.8 while Sinner has already gone 68.6. DRASTIC improvement on serve by Sinner last year.

Raz matured physically very early on and Sinner took long time. I don't know if he is still at the peak tbh. Neither is Raz.

Now Raz will always have clay to fall back to.
Last year he played 28 matches on clay and 37 on hard.

While Sinner played 58 on hard and 12 on clay.

Sinner is superior on HC while Raz on clay courts. But both are not mugs. Its just Sinner went 2-1 vs Raz last year. And is about to turn the H2H in his favor very soon. And he had mp in 2022 usopen where the H2H and slam count would have shifted drastically. I think Sinner deserves the hype and Raz should get some bashing until he performs better.

 

[FeroBango]

Lol now Sinner's inability to convert his match point is held against Alcaraz. We might as well subtract 3 slams from Djokovic and give them to Federer at this point.

You do not have to severely crap on another to prop your guys up and this must be a reasonable thing to expect. Not on TTW, ofc.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Sinner is NOT my player. We don't disrespect Alcaraz but we must see where the future is headed.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

His height.

LOLOLOLOLLOLLLOLOLOL.

 

[FeroBango]

Carlos won Wimbledon, two Masters 1000's and 3 other tournaments last year. Only on TTW is he relegated to mug status. The bandwagoners have all jumped on Sinner which means Carlos is a now officially a choking POS. If Sinner loses second round at the FO and Carlos wins it, then bandwagoners switch teams and then again, Alcaraz is the next GOAT and Sinner is a limp carrot. Predictable TTW behavior, never fails.

Absolutely. You just had to see the morons of TTW take away all the credibility Sinner's earned in the last few months during the final when Med was firing on all cylinders (as long as he had the gas to do it). I was backing Sinner to win it in five anyway only to see that Alcaraz is now being crapped on by the same folks because Sinner ended up winning it.

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Lol now Sinner's inability to convert his match point is held against Alcaraz. We might as well subtract 3 slams from Djokovic and give them to Federer at this point.

You do not have to severely crap on another to prop your guys up and this must be a reasonable thing to expect. Not on TTW, ofc.

You have some fantastic ideas.

 

[Aestheticsaboveallelse]

Both Alcaraz and Sinner are winners and have a bright future ahead, possibly ATGs.

It is your boy Rune who looks hopeless and utter useless, a Zverev like future awaits him, back in 2017-2018 everybody used to Mollycoddle Zverev the way you are doing to Rune, saying he is just 20 and has time ahead, today look where he is, thats the future which awaits your Rune if he does not rise to the next level.

All but a few people in the world would love to have a Zverev career

 

[TearTheRoofOff]

Apart from the Wimbledon final and that time he became a drop shot god for 2 weeks on clay in early 2023, he seems thick as **** on court. No clear plan, hilarious shot selection, just vibes

Had to lol at the bluntness of this.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Absolutely. You just had to see the morons of TTW take away all the credibility Sinner's earned in the last few months during the final when Med was firing on all cylinders (as long as he had the gas to do it). I was backing Sinner to win it in five anyway only to see that Alcaraz is now being crapped on by the same folks because Sinner ended up winning it.

You seem to be upset everytime someone mentions Raz now. What is the issue? TTW can't TTW?
Raz has won 0 titles since Wimbledon and made 1 final if i counted correctly. This is the right time to talk about what he needs to improve.

Just in the same line, if Sinner is actually performing well enough to win a grand slam, and DC within last 2 tournaments, do you think this will be let go by anyone? Come on. TTW always made this jump in GOAT debates but that time is over. Now in next generation, everyone is at the start. Maybe Raz slump will continue or maybe it won't. Right now is Sinner's time and his win is always going to be compared to Raz.

 

[Razer]

All but a few people in the world would love to have a Zverev career

Then go and turn pro dude, what are you doing on this forum discuss tennis players among us armchair critics? Go and play, try to be Zverev.

 

[FeroBango]

You seem to be upset everytime someone mentions Raz now. What is the issue? TTW can't TTW?
Raz has won 0 titles since Wimbledon and made 1 final if i counted correctly. This is the right time to talk about what he needs to improve.

Just in the same line, if Sinner is actually performing well enough to win a grand slam, and DC within last 2 tournaments, do you think this will be let go by anyone? Come on. TTW always made this jump in GOAT debates but that time is over. Now in next generation, everyone is at the start. Maybe Raz slump will continue or maybe it won't. Right now is Sinner's time and his win is always going to be compared to Raz.

TTW can TTW all it wants -- including suggesting that Alcaraz needs to be bashed and Sinner, hyped in a thread that seeks to know what improvements Raz can make moving forward. I respond in kind to that.

I don't buy the rationale behind such aggression. I even suggest giving the benefit of the doubt to Rune so you can gauge my amusement at this current hysteria.

Congratulations to Sinner, and I'm happy he won just as I believed he would even when he was two sets down. You continue with you passionate 'hype Sinner, kill Raz' motif of recent times. I cannot stop you since you are passionate at this.

I'm in general burnt out with these Big 3 GOAT debates for a long, long time now. I've grown up defending on Big 3 or the other and I'm too old for this at times I feel. It saddens me to see such a cult binary happen with the new generation, spearheaded by militant fans on either side (at least dking is an actual fan unlike AlcarazWon in his latest avatar).

Anyway I end by rambling now. Coming back to the topic, Alcaraz will do good to follow the footsteps of everything Sinner has done in recent times. I believe he has the talent for that.

Sinner transformed from a dodgy server to not letting Novak sniff a BP (admittedly a questionable Novak, but still). I believe Alcaraz has the talent to get close there despite the height 'defect'. Sinner is King today but I hope you won't stomp him to death the minute he loses some of the momentum -- which I guarantee will happen at some point; when? Who knows?

 

[nolefam_2024]

TTW can TTW all it wants -- including suggesting that Alcaraz needs to be bashed and Sinner, hyped in a thread that seeks to know what improvements Raz can make moving forward. I respond in kind to that.

I don't buy the rationale behind such aggression. I even suggest giving the benefit of the doubt to Rune so you can gauge my amusement at this current hysteria.

Congratulations to Sinner, and I'm happy he won just as I believed he would even when he was two sets down. You continue with you passionate 'hype Sinner, kill Raz' motif of recent times. I cannot stop you since you are passionate at this.

I'm in general burnt out with these Big 3 GOAT debates for a long, long time now. I've grown up defending on Big 3 or the other and I'm too old for this at times I feel. It saddens me to see such a cult binary happen with the new generation, spearheaded by militant fans on either side (at least dking is an actual fan unlike AlcarazWon in his latest avatar).

Anyway I end by rambling now. Coming back to the topic, Alcaraz will do good to follow the footsteps of everything Sinner has done in recent times. I believe he has the talent for that.

Sinner transformed from a dodgy server to not letting Novak sniff a BP (admittedly a questionable Novak, but still). I believe Alcaraz has the talent to get close there despite the height 'defect'. Sinner is King today but I hope you won't stomp him to death the minute he loses some of the momentum -- which I guarantee will happen at some point; when? Who knows?

Yes the point is whatever happened with big 3 rivalries will happen in SinneRaz rivalry soon. You have to place long term bets. Now.
I know you are old, we are all pretty old now to do the same old Big 3 like fights but that's when new fans will come up and carry the torch.

 

[Born_to_slice]

He's fine. Clueless people who bought into weak era crap expect him to dominate because they're, well...clueless.. Guy is on a right track and already extremely well accomplished for his age.

 

[FeroBango]

Yes the point is whatever happened with big 3 rivalries will happen in SinneRaz rivalry soon. You have to place long term bets. Now.
I know you are old, we are all pretty old now to do the same old Big 3 like fights but that's when new fans will come up and carry the torch.

No secrets as to where I'm placing my bets. I may be right or may be wrong. This is a bet I lose no money on and as long as there's great Tennis from the two -- which is certain, I only really end up winning, the way I see it.

I acknowledge the immense talent that Sinner is and have for a considerable time now (including defending his net game, much to the amusement of those around me). But I see Raz as the greatest talent since Djokovic and it's on him my long term bets shall stay perched.

 

[The Guru]

He doesn't need to add anything except he just needs to play up to what he's capable of. Obviously he has plenty of room for improvement but his top level with his current skills is plenty good enough to compete for every big event.

 

[nolefam_2024]

No secrets as to where I'm placing my bets. I may be right or may be wrong. This is a bet I lose no money on and as long as there's great Tennis from the two -- which is certain, I only really end up winning, the way I see it.

I acknowledge the immense talent that Sinner is and have for a considerable time now (including defending his net game, much to the amusement of those around me). But I see Raz as the greatest talent since Djokovic and it's on him my long term bets shall stay perched.

Can you see 2024 with 0 slams won for Carlos.

 

[nolefam_2024]

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It's clear -- the wheels have come off. The lefty cheese has been figured out. He can no longer toss his racquet onto the court and expect to win. His only hope is to beat Federer, his pigeon, but he'll have to go deeper in the draw than this. He should start appealing to get wild cards...

tt.tennis-warehouse.com

Nadal

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tt.tennis-warehouse.com

Nadal Got Stomped!

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tt.tennis-warehouse.com

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tt.tennis-warehouse.com

 

[FeroBango]

Can you see 2024 with 0 slams won for Carlos.

I actually can believe it or not because it's not a possibility that can entirely be ruled out. Winning a slam or two and not winning another for an extended period has precedence with some of the greats of our game (Pete and Novak), and Carlos isn't much more prodigiously talented than those two at this stage of his career. But I see more chances of him winning at least one than winning nothing at all.

It took 27 slams for Novak to win his third. The "worst case scenario" is this but I don't think he'll go that many slams without winning one. Contrary to the TTW takes, I see Sinner as a credible threat to everyone this clay swing too. It's not going to be easy for Carlos to just sweep the clay swing I reckon, but I have faith in him to win the RG at least.