From racket weight to serve rhythm: Carlos Alcaraz’s bold adjustments for 2025

Carlos Alcaraz is working at full speed during the off-season at the Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy, making significant adjustments to his game as he looks to counter the strengths of Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. The Spanish World No. 3 is leaving no detail unchecked.

According to Marca, the four-time Grand Slam champion has been testing various Babolat rackets in recent weeks, experimenting with different weights in the racket’s neck. Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero aims to generate more speed in Alcaraz's forehand and has reportedly decided to add five grams using lead tape.

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“It’s an additional aid for his strokes. With the acceleration he generates, he will gain power and weight on the ball,” explained Samuel Lopez, a coach who recently joined Alcaraz's team. “With his high-quality ball-striking, a heavier racket allows him to maximise the energy of the incoming shot just by making contact out in front. This has been especially noticeable on his returns.”

The team has also tested different string setups, aiming to counter opponents like Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. This adjustment is notable, as adding weight to the racket’s neutral area is more common among players with flatter shots, like Sebastian Korda or Tallon Griekspoor.

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Alcaraz has also made changes to his serve. Previously, he paused twice when drawing his racket back, a routine he reduced to one pause during the clay swing of 2024. Now, he has eliminated the pauses entirely, creating a smoother service motion and aiming to improve his first-serve percentage.

In 2024, Alcaraz surrendered his serve 105 times and committed 119 double faults. "I’d like to improve my serve. It’s obvious I need to,” he said after the ATP Finals in Turin.

This off-season, Alcaraz has chosen to prioritise pre-competitive work, opting not to participate in tournaments before the Australian Open. He remains in Spain as he prepares for Melbourne, where he will seek to complete the Career Grand Slam.

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