Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, has already etched his name among the sport’s elite. With five Grand Slam titles, including the 2022 US Open, 2023 and 2024 Wimbledon Championships, and 2024 Roland Garros, plus five ATP Masters 1000 crowns, he’s the youngest man to win majors on three different surfaces and hold the world No. 1 ranking. Yet, even a player of Alcaraz’s caliber has room to grow, and legendary coach Rick Macci, who shaped the early careers of Serena and Venus Williams, Andy Roddick, and Maria Sharapova, has pinpointed the key to unlocking the next level of his game. As Alcaraz prepares for the 2025 US Open, Macci’s advice centers on a critical adjustment to his serve, a change that could transform the “Spanish Cheetah” into an even more formidable force.
Macci, renowned for his keen eye for talent, took to social media to share his insights, emphasizing Alcaraz’s serve as the “wildcard” in his arsenal. “He has every shot in the book. Most talented player on tour,” Macci declared. “The wildcard for Carlos is the serve. Time to dabble. He has a gun but if he switches to a platform stance with less moving parts no doubt will fire a better % of Spanish Darts.” This advice, posted on July 31, 2025, comes at a pivotal moment for Alcaraz, who struggled with his first serve in the Wimbledon final against Jannik Sinner, where his first-serve percentage dipped, impacting his ability to dictate points. Macci suggests adopting a platform stance—where the feet remain static, roughly shoulder-width apart, during the serve—over the pinpoint stance Alcaraz currently uses, which involves stepping the outer leg inward to generate a spring-like motion. The platform stance, favored by serving greats like Pete Sampras, could reduce variables and boost Alcaraz’s first-serve consistency, which stands at 64% this season, with 73% of first-serve points won and 311 aces against 165 double faults.
Beyond technical tweaks, Macci also sees Alcaraz’s positioning as a game-changer. “Carlos can to go to the next level if he controls the center of the court,” he wrote. “Because he is the Spanish Cheetah he can play too far back and run track. If he is dealing the cards on the rise and plays with his eyes he has a better shot at the prize.” Alcaraz’s blistering speed and defensive prowess allow him to cover the court like few others, but Macci believes a more aggressive stance closer to the baseline could maximize his shot-making and creativity. This adjustment would let Alcaraz take the ball earlier, leveraging his explosive forehand and signature drop shots—described by Macci as capable of landing “from outer space”—to dominate rallies rather than relying on his athleticism to chase down points.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a tale of highs and lows. After a quarterfinal loss to Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open, he roared back with titles in Rotterdam, Monte Carlo, Rome, Roland Garros, and Queen’s Club, showcasing his clay and grass mastery. Yet, unexpected defeats in Doha, Indian Wells, and a shocking first-round exit to David Goffin at the Miami Open exposed inconsistencies, particularly compared to Sinner’s 7,830 non-major points to Alcaraz’s 3,010. Macci, however, remains unwavering in his belief in Alcaraz’s potential, predicting “double-figure Grand Slams” if he refines his return game and serve. “Carlos is the most gifted player on tour. He has all the shots. He runs like a deer and has no fear,” Macci asserted, highlighting the mental fortitude that allows Alcaraz to smile after a 20-ball rally loss, a trait that sets him apart at just 22.
Macci’s faith isn’t blind optimism. Having coached five world No. 1s, he sees Alcaraz as a generational talent, likening him to a blend of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Agassi. His advice comes as Alcaraz gears up for the North American hard-court swing, with the Cincinnati Open and US Open on the horizon. After a disappointing second-round exit at Flushing Meadows last year to Botic van de Zandschulp, Alcaraz is hungry to reclaim his 2022 title. Macci’s call for a platform stance and central court control could be the edge he needs to challenge Sinner, who edged him in the 2025 Wimbledon final, and Djokovic, still a formidable force at 38. As Alcaraz fine-tunes his game, the tennis world watches eagerly, knowing that with Macci’s guidance, the “Spanish Magician” is poised to cast an even greater spell on the sport.
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