It's mainly the serve. It's not powerful at times. Also the backhand is slightly weaker wing. Also the return, trouble with big servers eg FAA

 

It's mainly the serve. It's not powerful at times. Also the backhand is slightly weaker wing. Also the return, trouble with big servers eg FAA

It's not like it loses power randomly lol, more of a consistency/placement issues.
Also the BH isn't super solid rallying tolerance wise.
I wouldn't talk about technical limitations though, those are other things.

 

Alcaraz seems to want to do too much too fast. His shot placement sometimes goes too far in the point not realizing that he actually has to construct many points, opportunities coming after that. His mind is what is totally undisciplined. Technically, he's pretty solid, he needs more precision on his serve and BH, that comes with years of practice, but other than that, he's got the right tools... he only falters because of age-related impatience.

 

Absolutely this. I think once this season is over and he has time to reflect with his team we will see a more mature Alcaraz in 2023 and the rest of the tour better watch out.

 

Being boring 💤
But seriously the serve and Consistency

 

Being boring 💤
But seriously the serve and Consistency

It's fine being boring, we are Nadal fans after all!

 

I don’t know if it is just me but he hasn’t won a title post US Open. I hope he doesn’t have the same path what Emma Raducanu went thru.

 

raducanu failed almost in the first two rounds in each tournament. alcaraz made the basel semis.

 

Lack of ability to hit his shots with greater control (either hits too long or too wide) and put the ball in play giving away free points and easy wins to the opponents, which can be seen in his inconsistent results. Lack of experience and ability to play matured tennis.

One day he looks like he can beat anyone in the world and on another day he has no control over his shots, whatsoever.

 

There are actually potential technical weaknesses everywhere in Carlos's game. The fact that he's been able to overcome them so far is a testament to his extraordinary athleticism, mentality and talent. Nevertheless, I think unless he can adjust his technique he will always be a player with high peaks but limited consistency.

Forehand:

Everything about Carlos's forehand is geared towards generating explosive power. His forehand takeback is high and uses an inverted "next-gen" racquet head, creating more space for acceleration. Rather than dropping the racquet into the traditional spot behind the back hip and only then firing his hips, he uncoils into the ball with his arm still held relatively high, maximising the rotational acceleration. Even the straight hitting arm adds potential power.

However, optimising the shot for power comes at the cost of quick reactions and control. Carlos's technique cannot be easily abbreviated to react to an incoming low, hard and/or deep ball. When he doesn't have time to set up his legs (especially when on the run), his reliance on core rotation to generate power can be exposed. The technique also makes his natural FH return of serve relatively inconsistent.

Overall, his forehand is a fantastic attacking shot when confident, but quite limited in terms of defence and rally tolerance.

Backhand:

Carlos's backhand uses a very low takeback without much loop. He is still able to generate a lot of pace by muscling it, but he doesn't produce a lot of topspin. We've seen that this backhand can be an extremely effective weapon when he steps into the court, takes the ball early and crushes it crosscourt.

However, it has a lot of limitations. It's risky to hit down the line with so little topspin. The lack of margin can make it an inconsistent shot. He also has to use relatively high effort to generate his power, making it difficult to out-grind opponents from deep in the backhand corner. Because of these factors, opponents with elite backhands who can hit hard and deep crosscourt can really cause problems for him - examples including Zverev, Medvedev, Sinner and so on.

Serve:

Carlos again gets a lot of power on his serve thanks to a pinpoint stance and fantastic leg drive. However, I dislike everything else about this shot. He tosses the ball straight up in front, which makes it hard to disguise where he's aiming. He doesn't coil his body much, which would add a little extra power and disguise. Finally, the backswing is stiff and his right elbow is moving back into the correct throwing position (behind him) until the very last moment.

FAA's serve is somewhat similar to Carlos's, but far superior (granted, he's significantly taller). That could make a nice model for Carlos as he looks to improve. He desperately needs to develop a good slice serve on the deuce court.

 

FAA's serve is somewhat similar to Carlos's, but far superior (granted, he's significantly taller). That could make a nice model for Carlos as he looks to improve. He desperately needs to develop a good slice serve on the deuce court.

As Felix’ confidence & mindset improves, this added advan. could b the deciding factor on HC & Grass between the ideal height of FAA/Sinners vs the shorter Alca/Ruuds.

 

I am an Alcaraz fan no doubt! And I see him as the next in line for success.


At the same time he is not a Djokovic perfectionist and has some weaknesses.

What are Alcaraz's technical limitations in tennis?

Novak is not perfect, he chokes at the US OPEN finals more than Federer chokes at Wimbies to Novak!

 

Because the hype is alarming. He believes he is crushing everyone and has very few mistakes. Media says he’s winning 3 slams by age 21. He barely got past glass tiger Sinner.

 

I notice he mentally checks-out when he somehow can't control the rallies...he seems more patient when in slower courts but he doesn't want to be rushed IMO; like I could see peak Nishikori bothering him.

 

His serve looks like a jump followed by a smash instead of a clean service motion. Volleys sometimes look awkward too.


I could explain it better in german but I hope you guys will understand.

 

Serve like the WTA #20

 

I think he has overachieved and everyone is getting carried away. With the amount of UE he makes, opponents always have a chance. I don't see him cruising to the latter stages of tournaments bagelling and breadstricking everyone like big 3 have always done and it isn't mentioned enough and has always been a big reason why they have had long careers and won so much. You can't keep winning ugly or winning a dogfight after dogfight. You look at Medvedev today, the first time he was challenged during his win at Vienna was only by shapovalov in the final. Alcaraz is always challenged because he plays casino tennis

 

I think he has overachieved and everyone is getting carried away. With the amount of UE he makes, opponents always have a chance. I don't see him cruising to the latter stages of tournaments bagelling and breadstricking everyone like big 3 have always done and it isn't mentioned enough and has always been a big reason why they have had long careers and won so much. You can't keep winning ugly or winning a dogfight after dogfight. You look at Medvedev today, the first time he was challenged during his win at Vienna was only by shapovalov in the final. Alcaraz is always challenged because he plays casino tennis

Too early to tell, because he is still a teenager eager to improve, and there will be no Big4 around during his prime let alone a peaking period, also towers like Medvedev, Zverev & co. could all face significant problems with a niggling or more serious injuries come their birthday no.30, to be able to pose the same level of threat as nowadays.

 

i think his biggest limitation is his height and his serve. Just doesnt generate enough raw power/pace off his 5'11 diminutive frame. This will hinder him over the long term. case in point, needed 3 consecutive 5 setters in the us open, just to make the final, followed by a 4 setter in the final. If you have a powerful or bigger serve, probably wouldnt have much issues. Djokovic developed a bigger serve later in his career, but he is 6'2' in height which is tall enough to generate pace. Nadal at 6'1 also had a pretty big serve in the us open. Federer 6'1, is easily among the all time greatest placement servers

 

I agree with this.
I feel like that a distinction should be made between a weakness and a limitation.
A weakness is generally something that can be improved, eg. movement.
Whereas a limitation is something that can't be improved (height) , or at least is much more difficult to improve.
Alcaraz is not overly short, but he is still below average height compared to most next gen players around his age, who range from like 6'1 - 6'5.

 

5 feet 11 is hardly diminutive though.

Diminutive….extremely or unusually small.

 

Sampras also at least 6’1 & obviously one of the BOAT servers though conditions were faster in his time.

And Alca’s fellow ‘baseliner’ Novak had to alter his service motion twice in his career (post 2010 & post 2017) but difference is he’s close to 6’3 & the ideal height in tennis in addition to being one of the GOAT returners.

There’s much more to being an ATG than the ability to run down every ball like a hare, esp. on HC & Grass.

 

He can't run Windows 11.

 

He’s just a ball bashing Spaniard, we’ve seen this before. Boring as fuck.

 

Never could understand this expression. How is fuck boring? Fuck is love, fuck is life.

 

People here comparing 19 years old player with players at their peak. Now he is not mature as Djokovic or Nadal, but if we compare his tehnique and maturity with 19 old Novak or Nadal or even Federer, Alcaraz is great.

 

He still needs to improve his ROS. It's more than decent, but for all the return winners he makes, he also doesn't get the ball back in play as much as the best in that category.

 

ROS winners?

Like what % & anywhere near Agassi levels?