By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Sunday, January 12, 2025
Photo credit: Andy Cheung/Getty
Carlos Alcaraz knows all about creating successful sequels.
Alcaraz stopped Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic to successfully defend Wimbledon last July.
The 21-year-old Spaniard seized his fourth Grand Slam crown in as many major finals—joining Roger Federer as the second man in Open Era history to win his first four Slam finals—and now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with elite champions as the sixth man in history to sweep Roland Garros and Wimbledon in the same season
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So what does the world No. 3 do for an encore?
Alcaraz has streamlined his service motion and hired Samuel Lopez, former long-time coach of Pablo Carreno Busta, as part of his coaching team under head coach Juan Carlos Ferrero.
“Then when Samuel, I knew that I had to be with someone else than Juan Carlos that can help Juanki sometimes and travel or mix or split tournaments,” Alcaraz told the media in Melbourne. ” So have someone to refresh a little bit between tournaments is going to be great.
“Obviously is someone that I trust 100%. He’s really good coach. Has been coach of Juan Carlos when he played. Is going to be a great coach for me, I’m sure.”
A key aim for the Alcaraz coaching team: Create easier service holds in 2025.
Though Alcaraz can blast 130 mph-plus first-serves, can serve with hellacious spin and dots all areas of the box, he clocked in at only No. 30 on the ATP Tour in first-serve points won in 2024 (73 percent) and was No. 12 in the vital service games won category (85.4 percent).
In contrast, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner was No. 1 in service games won (91.4 percent) and was second in first-serve points won (79.3 percent).
On the flip side, Alcaraz was second on the ATP Tour to Alex de Minaur in return games won (30.79 percent).
Alcaraz said he’s trying to streamline his service motion to promote smoother rhythm and greater consistency on serve.
“Good rhythm [is the goal]. Before probably one of the most issues that I have on the serve is the rhythm,” Alcaraz said. “I didn’t get the good rhythm. So I think with this one I’m going to get a good rhythm just to hit in the right spot every time.
“I think something I have to improve, the precision. I have to be more precise on the serve. I think with a good rhythm is going to help a lot. I think that’s what I’m looking for.”
