Carlos Alcaraz is back to blasting his forehand as cleanly as ever It’s not just the brute power that makes this shot so incredible. It’s how he sets up for it. He’s so quick that he’s able to get in position to wreak havoc every time. Blast off 🚀
Mats Wilander makes bold claim that Carlos Alcaraz is better than Novak Djokovic in one area
ATPMonday, 22 January 2024 at 18:30
Carlos Alcaraz' forehand was in devastating effect as he took down Miomir Kecmanovic in his best display so far at the 2024 Australian Open and according to Mats Wilander he sees it as the one area that he beats the 24-time Grand Slam champion, Novak Djokovic in.
Wilander said that he has the looping forehand placement of Rafael Nadal, but it is different and is better than Djokovic in terms of acceleration and sheer technique as the former World No.1 continues to grow his game and show why he is one of the favourites in Melbourne.
“He’s so quick around the court and so aggressive,” Wilander told the Eurosport Cube. The difference between him [and Kecmanovic] is that they’re both trying to hit forehands.
"He’s got so many options: he can go inside out, inside in, drop shot - both ways as well. And he can loop it up the way Rafa Nadal can. You’ve got to stay away from his forehand or you’re going to have a very long day.
“It’s not easy for me to analyse something that I don’t understand. Alcaraz’s forehand placement is highly unusual. He went 63% of the time into Kecmanovic’s forehand. That’s usually the strength of most tennis players and only 25% to the backhand.
"He hits the ball so hard that no one expects this kind of tennis because no one else does it, really. Djokovic is going there sometimes, but winners there are unheard of because you can stretch out and defend there much better than the backhand [wing].
"The acceleration is incredible. In terms of technique, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better forehand. It’s not the big, loopy Rafa, it’s better than Djokovic.”
It was a subject that Tim Henman also agreed on as he praised him for his game management. “He’s got so many options,” he said. “When plan A is not working for a player, what is plan B? At times, they’ve just got to do plan A better than they have been, but with Alcaraz, you see so many different options.
"He’s so comfortable with his speed and movement at the back of the court, but in the forecourt, he’s got great technique at the net and he’s got a great feel.
"He really does look like he’s putting on a show out there. He’s enjoying himself so much, and in those three sets, [he hit] 43 winners and only 19 unforced errors. Fantastic performance.”
"[His forehand] is a difficult shot but he makes it look so simple because he keeps his upper body so still, but the racquet head acceleration through the forehand is unbelievable," he continued.
"With that racquet head speed, sometimes he comes in and hits it flat going for the big winner, and other times when he wants to stay in the rally he comes up the back of the ball and gives it more air over the net.
"Then he’s got the drop shot where he just comes underneath it. He’s got the limitless options. It’s one of the most devastating shots in the game right now.”
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