"We knew that the serve was something I had to improve" – Carlos Alcaraz on refining his game

Carlos Alcaraz has quickly established himself as one of the most exciting talents in tennis, rising through the ATP rankings at an astonishing pace.

The former world number one has already secured 16 ATP titles, including four Grand Slams, and is eager to reclaim his place at the top of the sport.

Despite a disappointing exit at the Australian Open, where he lost a competitive match to Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz remains focused on improving his game. He recognises that constant evolution is necessary for continued success at the highest level.

Alcaraz on adapting to stay competitive

During the Australian Open, Alcaraz spoke about the importance of making small but significant changes to stay at the top of his game.

Read also

Carlos Alcaraz easily through in crushing victory at ABN AMRO Open in Rotterdam

"Of course, you have to change things. Jannik [Sinner] has said the same thing, that he changed things in the preseason that perhaps we can't see, but he feels that they're different," Alcaraz explained."To always be at the top, you must keep adapting to what's demanded of you and changing little things to be better or just as competitive."

One key area of focus for Alcaraz has been his serve, an aspect of his game he admits needs improvement.

"We knew that the serve was something I had to improve; we had to do something. It had to be more accurate, and I wasn't managing to do that."

He elaborated on the technical adjustments he has been working on:

Read also

Carlos Alcaraz aims to gain edge by hiring close friend and trusted ally to coaching team

"The new movement is a little more relaxed, quite a lot more relaxed. I have a looser wrist to try and improve my timing, and there's no pause when the racquet gets to the top; it's all more fluid.

"That also affects a few things during matches; for example, I'm not so tense, which can take its toll physically."

Pundits weigh in on Alcaraz’s serve

Carlos Alcaraz 

Eurosport analyst Arnaud Clement acknowledged that while Alcaraz has worked hard on improving his serve, the results have yet to fully materialise.

"I know he has worked a lot on this shot recently by modifying his technique, but we have not yet seen the effects of this work, particularly at the Australian Open," Clement said."In fact, for the moment, it is not a weapon in his game as it is the case for Alexander Zverev or Jannik Sinner. He has to improve this to give himself free points."

However, Clement believes Alcaraz’s awareness and willingness to improve will eventually lead to success.

"The good news is that he knows it and is looking to find a solution. When you are in this process, you generally manage to find the key."

What’s next for Alcaraz?

With a relentless drive for improvement, Alcaraz is determined to continue evolving his game in 2025. His commitment to refining his serve and making small tactical adjustments could make him an even more formidable player.

As the season progresses, it will be exciting to see whether these changes pay off and if he can add more titles to his already impressive résumé.

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe