Tactics play a crucial role for players trying to assert dominance in a sport. Spanish tennis professional Carlos Alcaraz hasn’t neglected this essential part and has quickly succeeded in becoming one of the most promising professionals in the ATP tour.
Alcaraz, who is merely 19 years old has sent a clear message in the sport. With the assistance of his notoriously unorthodox gameplay, the Spaniard even clinched a Grand Slam title, the US Open 2022.
After having built a reputation as a formidable player in tennis, Alcaraz doesn’t seem to be led astray with his early achievements. But according to a recent statement from his coach, the Spaniard in his early training days had to be put in line as he wasn’t always obedient.
Carlos Alcaraz only recently added his career’s 9th singles title to his portfolio. He emerged victorious at the Barcelona Open 2023, fortunately maintaining his defending champion streak. Before Alcaraz’s match against ‘The Greek God’ Stefanos Tsitsipas, his coach Juan Carlos Ferrero made a surprise revelation.
In Ferrero’s statement, he confessed to the tennis prodigy’s excessive use of his uncanny love for drop shots. He went on to state that they hardly ever practice this technique during their practice sessions. “The drop shots are what we train the least in length, he has it more than measured so we didn’t train it,” said Juan Martin.
The Spaniard’s coach also revealed an incident where Alcaraz once disobeyed him. His overuse of drop-shots once irked him to the point where he had to order him to limit their use during practice. “Once, in Seville, he had been playing at the age of 16. He came to do so many, that I told him ‘Don’t do one again,’ and [seconds later], he does one. And he tells me, ‘I couldn’t help it”, quoted Ferrero.
Alcaraz, in his match against tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas, did not shy away from using his most loved tactic. He presented the Greek with 10 drop shots and surfed through the match with a concluding score of 6-3, 6-4.
Carlos Alcaraz drills himself to defend the Madrid Open title
Carlos Alcaraz after claiming victory in Barcelona is now preparing for an upcoming event. With all his might, he is preparing to sustain his status as the defending champion of the Madrid Open next. The Masters 1000 tournament which is scheduled to take place in Madrid, Spain, is one of tennis’ most iconic events.
Estamos listos! 🤝🏻 Nos vemos mañana @MutuaMadridOpen! 🤪🔥 pic.twitter.com/gFDmNBZq4o
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) April 27, 2023
Alcaraz will be placed as the top seed of the tournament. The Spaniard made a big name for himself at the event last year when he defeated Spanish tennis legend Rafael Nadal in the quarter-final match. Hopefully, if everything works in the 19-year-old’s favor, he might just walk away with this season’s crown as well.