WHY CARLOS IS HEIR TO RAFA’S CROWN
AFTER beginning the season ranked No 32, Carlos Alcaraz has surged to become the youngest-ever world No 1 after winning the US Open. Here, we look at the attributes that make the teenager a generational talent who looks set to disrupt the dominance of compatriot Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
SERVE
NOT a blockbuster but it is something that has steadily improved. Used changes of direction skilfully against the deep-lying Ruud in the final.
GROUNDSTROKES
CAN hit spectacular winners from anywhere, especially on the forehand.
He likes to run around his backhand to hit with his forehand. Can be inconsistent but he goes for strokes so aggressively, there are bound to be mistakes.
RETURNS
LIKE his serve, it is another area where there’s room for improvement, but already pretty formidable. He has a superb eye and incredible agility.
VOLLEY
A POINT of difference with many
young players, Alcaraz is comfortable at the net and happy to volley under pressure.
Against
Ruud he serve-andvolleyed 21 times, and won 34 points from the 45 occasions he was at the net.
TEMPERAMENT AND TACTICS
ALCARAZ shows remarkable poise and in the pivotal tiebreak was not afraid to hit out. His shot selection is not perfect but he possesses so many weapons in his armoury, including a brilliant drop shot delivered with fantastic hand-eye co-ordination, leaving rivals wrongfooted.
STAMINA
HIS recovery from gruelling five-set matches has raised a few eyebrows, although he did appear tired and there for the taking in the third set of the final. He is stocky and strong, as are other family members. Alcaraz had wellknown doctor Angel Ruiz Cotorro, who also works with Nadal, in his box — as well as his personal medic — and will have had mandatory drug testing after the final.
SPEED
JOHN McENROE described Alcaraz as one of the quickest players around the court he had ever seen: ‘An absolute speed demon.’ Ruud likewise pointed out that his court coverage makes him a difficult nut to crack. ‘It makes us other players feel like you need to paint the lines to be able to hit a winner. Sometimes even that’s not enough.’