What is actually Alcaraz's best surface?

[Torben]

Actually the big 3 have all lost or been stretched to 5 sets against serve bots at one time or another in the majors and Masters. Kevin Anderson, Isner, and Karlovic have often made things very uncomfortable even for the legends.

Yes very true.

The big servers have been pushing the top ranked guys for a long time. Last nights match proved that, granted Alcaraz got a little too cute with drop shots in the 3rd, but once Hurkacz got close, the pressure to hold serve was mounting. When those big servers get going, they can win any match.

 

[HazBeen18]

The fact that he was able to beat a grass-court player who is leagues better than the rest of the field, tells me that grass will become a very strong surface for him going forward, as he's only going to get better. So, I vote for grass>hard>clay, as the red stuff will hamper his proven ability to drive missiles through the court from either wing, putting players on their backfoot. However, he's so used to sliding on clay and with his multitude of shot options I think he'll win RG at least once, maybe two or three times.

 

[Razer]

His best surface = Grass

He could win 5-6 wimbledons if he can remain injury free till 30

 

[Mike Sams]

Yes very true.

The big servers have been pushing the top ranked guys for a long time. Last nights match proved that, granted Alcaraz got a little too cute with drop shots in the 3rd, but once Hircazc got close, the pressure to hold serve was mounting. When those big servers get going, they can win any match.

Yeah, I remember all too well John Isner winning Miami Masters in 2018, stretching Nadal to 5 sets in Paris, beating Djokovic in both Indian Wells and Cincinnatti, and even getting some wins over Federer. Kevin Anderson, same thing. Stretched Djokovic to 5 at Wimbledon, beat Federer at Wimbledon too. Even Karlovic is tough to beat at times. Many of his losses are third set tiebreakers. It's like blink once and you lose the set against any of these serve monsters.

 

[Torben]

Yeah, I remember all too well John Isner winning Miami Masters in 2018, stretching Nadal to 5 sets in Paris, beating Djokovic in both Indian Wells and Cincinnatti, and even getting some wins over Federer. Kevin Anderson, same thing. Stretched Djokovic to 5 at Wimbledon, beat Federer at Wimbledon too. Even Karlovic is tough to beat at times. Many of his losses are third set tiebreakers. It's like blink once and you lose the set against any of these serve monsters.

Absolutely!

The list goes on and on...

 

[Mike Sams]

Absolutely!

The list goes on and on...

I think probably Hurcakz deserves more respect. Not sure I'd classify him entirely in the serve bot category. His Wimbledon run was underappreciated. If Djokovic had even been slightly off in those tiebreakers, that could've been Hurcakz's day.

 

[Eureka]

Interesting question. As others have said, CA is at the start of his career, so any meaningful answer is unlikely. Furthermore, his astonishing ability to evolve and adapt is self-evident from his results on grass this year. Given the current evidence, he seems to be able to excel an all surfaces. Time will tell which (if any) is his 'best' surface. Many pundits say he is an excellent all surface player, and the evidence to date, seems to bear this out. This summary of his title wins in 2021/2022 /2023 (to date) certainly suggests it to be so.

3 Hard Court Titles of which 1 is a Grand Slam and 2 are Masters 1000

7 Clay Court Titles of which 2 are Masters 1000. 3 Clay Court finals

2 Grass Court Titles of which 1 is a Grand Slam

 

[Torben]

I think probably Hurcakz deserves more respect. Not sure I'd classify him entirely in the serve bot category. His Wimbledon run was underappreciated. If Djokovic had even been slightly off in those tiebreakers, that could've been Hurcakz's day.

Agree.

Hurkacz is no Edberg or McEnroe but is a competent enough volleyer in his own right. It only takes a mistake or two and you lose at set against guys like Hurcakz.

Those big servers sure liven the game up.

 

[Incognito]

The fact that he was able to beat a grass-court player who is leagues better than the rest of the field, tells me that grass will become a very strong surface for him going forward, as he's only going to get better. So, I vote for grass>hard>clay, as the red stuff will hamper his proven ability to drive missiles through the court from either wing, putting players on their backfoot. However, he's so used to sliding on clay and with his multitude of shot options I think he'll win RG at least once, maybe two or three times.

Carlos Will win RG at least 5 times

 

[legcramp]

Too early to tell but for now Grass > Hard > Clay, especially after taking out Novak on grass. I think he's gonna have 10 slams at each surface for 30 slams.

 

[President]

He's one of the rare players who is probably equally good on all 3. His game is well suited to all, even grass surprisingly.

 

[Nadal - GOAT]

I would evaluate where is Alcaraz hardest to beat for the field. IMO it is hard, grass and then clay.

I know many believe clay would be his best surface. While his foot speed, defence does shine on clay, I think his shot making is more effective on hard courts and grass. He is prone to errors when made to play numerous extra shots and that will happen more frequently on clay. Also he is an agressive shot maker who likes to hit through players and doesn't play much angled shots. This strategy is less effective on clay.

I have always found him more vulnerable on clay as compared to faster courts. Though the way he is improving he may just become unbeatable in all 3 surfaces for a while.

 

[Hitman]

At the moment, it is still hard court.