Motive why Carlos Alcaraz might have a plan B

Carlos Alcaraz’s 2024 was really distinctive for a participant of simply 21 years outdated, nevertheless it was partially overshadowed by Jannik Sinner’s near-perfect season. It is no secret that this rivalry is about to mark within the period, and lots of insiders consider that these two gamers can take the place of the Large 3 within the hearts of followers around the globe.

The younger Spaniard turned the youngest ever to win Roland Garros and the Wimbledon Championships in the identical yr, not forgetting his triumphs on the Indian Wells Masters 1000 and the distinguished Beijing ATP 500. The previous world No.1 would have favored to win the gold medal for his nation on the Paris Olympics, however his run ended within the remaining towards Serbian legend Novak Djokovic on the finish of one of the vital thrilling matches of all the season.

Alcaraz© X Atp Tour

As had already occurred in 2023, Carlitos’ stage dropped within the second half of the season and a few sudden defeats arrived. The 21-year-old from Murcia upset expectations particularly on the US Open, the place he was eradicated already within the second spherical having not but disposed of the frustration on the Olympics.

The 4-time Grand Slam champion didn’t shine even within the final tournaments of the season, particularly on the Rolex Paris Masters and the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin, the place he was additionally conditioned by a flu virus.

These disappointing outcomes allowed Alexander Zverev to overhaul him in second place within the ATP rankings earlier than the tip of 2024. Alcaraz is aware of that he has to enhance by way of consistency if he desires to dethrone his nice rival Sinner, who has a margin of virtually 5000 factors over him regardless of the Spaniard successful two Main titles this season.

Carlitos’ weak spot

Carlos’ recreation is arguably probably the most spectacular on the tour proper now and its selection is unparalleled, however the world No.3 struggles to win matches when he is not taking part in his finest tennis. The Spanish ace has not discovered the proper options to defeat his opponents even on the worst days.

Carlos Alcaraz© Carlos Alcaraz/Instagram – Honest Use

On the newest version of the ‘Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast’, former WTA High 10 Andrea Petkovic highlighted all of Alcaraz’s present points: “The one quibble I have with Carlos is what the others don’t have.

“Zverev doesn’t have this issue, even Taylor Fritz doesn’t have, Jannik definitely doesn’t have, Novak Djokovic definitely doesn’t have. When Carlos is bad, he is f***ing horrendous.”

She continued: “He doesn’t have a plan B – because you are still Carlos Alcaraz, who has won four Slams. But he then can’t make a ball anymore, he’s double-faulting, he’s missing, he doesn’t even get into a rally.

So when Carlos is bad, he’s so bad. And at the highest level, he’s probably the best player.

He was 3-0 against Jannik Sinner, who was the best player this season. At his low level, he can still lose to Jakub Mensik, and Jannik Sinner would not lose to Jakub Mensik probably.”

A shot to enhance

Throughout the low season, the 4-time Grand Slam champion is engaged on varied features of his recreation alongside his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero. The present world No. 3 – who will begin the brand new season straight on the Australian Open in mid-January – is focusing primarily on the serve. This shot is prime in males’s tennis and Carlitos can nonetheless enhance rather a lot on this facet. His serve shouldn’t be as efficient correctly, particularly on the quickest surfaces, which is why Alcaraz struggles rather a lot to be aggressive sufficient on indoor exhausting courts.

The 21-year-old from Murcia will assess his enhancements at Melbourne Park, the place he’ll play a few exhibition matches earlier than making his official debut on the AO.

Carlos Alcaraz, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot

In the identical podcast, Rennae Stubbs mirrored on Carlitos’ accuracy together with his serve: “He is not a big guy. He is like my height, he’s like 5’10, 5’11. He needs to develop a little bit of a flatter surf, and I think he needs to develop his surf better, and he needs to hit his spots better, right? I mean, Roger Federer wasn’t a big guy. But he could hit the corners like nobody else. And I think Carlos needs to get his accuracy with his serving better. And if he doesn’t hit the corners better, he’s not getting free points.”

The previous World No.1 in doubles continued: “Roger was a little bit bit like Carlos Alcaraz as effectively, like a little bit flashy, a little bit bit excessive, you recognize, after which he is like, I wanna win these matches, so I most likely ought to simply hit that forehand in and crosscourt.”