Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis prodigy, is meticulously preparing for his third consecutive Wimbledon semifinal, where he will face American No. 5 seed Taylor Fritz on Friday, July 11, 2025. Following a commanding 6-2, 6-3, 6-3 victory over Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the quarter-finals, Alcaraz spent Wednesday in a relaxed yet focused training session at Aorangi Park under bright sunshine. With coaches Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel López by his side, the world No. 2 is honing the finer details of his game, particularly his serve, to meet the challenge awaiting him on Centre Court. “I’m feeling really good. It was my best match of the tournament so far,” Alcaraz said after defeating Norrie, underscoring his growing confidence as he eyes a third straight Wimbledon title.
Alcaraz’s journey through this tournament has been a test of resilience. He opened with a grueling five-set battle against veteran Fabio Fognini, a match lasting over four and a half hours that pushed his endurance. Since that rocky start, however, he has found his rhythm, dispatching Britain’s Tarvet, Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff, and Andrey Rublev with ease before dominating Norrie. His 23-match winning streak, including 19 consecutive victories at Wimbledon, places him among greats like Juan Martín del Potro. “When you serve well, you play from the baseline and return with more confidence,” Alcaraz explained, highlighting how his serve, which has produced 62 aces in the tournament, has become a critical weapon. Against Norrie, he saved all five break points, showcasing mental and technical solidity that makes him the favorite for the title.
Taylor Fritz, 27, presents a formidable challenge. The American, reaching his first Wimbledon semifinal, secured his spot with a four-set win over Karen Khachanov (6-3, 6-4, 1-6, 7-6(4)), despite a foot blister requiring a medical timeout. Fritz, boasting a 13-1 record on grass this season, has lifted trophies in Stuttgart and Eastbourne, setting an ATP record for the most grass-court wins by an American in a single season. “Grass is a surface that levels things out a lot,” Fritz said, expressing confidence in his ability to compete with the best, including Alcaraz, Sinner, and Djokovic. “If I play like I did in the first two sets today, there’s not much an opponent can do,” he added after beating Khachanov, sending a clear warning to his next rival.
Despite Alcaraz leading their head-to-head 2-0 (Miami Masters 2023 and Laver Cup 2024, both straight-set wins), the two have never faced off on grass, adding an element of unpredictability. Fritz, with 16 aces and 47 winners against Khachanov, relies on his powerful serve and aggressive baseline game. Alcaraz, however, is well aware of the threat. “He’s playing great. I think grass suits him. He’s had a lot of success so far: two titles and a semifinal here at Wimbledon,” Alcaraz acknowledged, showing respect for his opponent. His coaches emphasize his growth: “Carlos deserves a 10. He’s in the semifinals, hasn’t lost a match, and has gone from strength to strength,” Ferrero said, while López noted that Alcaraz’s improved serve is the result of “daily work” to adapt to grass.
With a blockbuster semifinal looming, Alcaraz focuses on staying calm and natural. “I approach matches in a personal way, focusing on myself, not thinking too much about the opponent,” he admitted. His ability to balance intensity with relaxation, as seen in his recent downtime playing golf, makes him a formidable adversary. Fritz, buoyed by his recent US Open final and a belief he can compete at the highest level, aims to capitalize on his serve and experience. “I’m a much better player than I was a year or two ago,” Fritz said, highlighting his growth. As fans await this epic clash, Alcaraz is determined to defend his title and write another chapter in his already legendary young career.
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