Carlos Alcaraz has responded to Andy Roddick’s analysis that his serve has not improved much in the last two years and “leaves a lot to be desired.”
The two-time Grand Slam champion argued that his serve has “improved a lot”, but declared that he has to “continue improving” it and still has “a lot to do.”
Alcaraz produced an erratic display in a four-set loss to Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals of the 2024 Australian Open last month and was broken seven times during the match.
Speaking on his Served podcast after the Australian Open, Roddick broke down Alcaraz’s serve and identified it as something the Spaniard must improve.
“I think his serve leaves a lot to be desired. That is the one thing that I don’t think has really improved much at all in the last two years,” the former world No 1 assessed.
“I remember watching him, kinda his breakout – we knew about him – but winning Miami a couple of years ago and he was serving 135, and now I feel like he’s serving 127.
“Alcaraz, if he’s not hitting that kick serve – that’s getting you up and away and out of the zone – it feels like people are able to firm up his first serve when he goes after it. You need to create a little motion on that serve, he needs to create a little bit of tail.
“Especially with how good he is on that first ball and how much he can bully you. Right now, even his slice serve feels like it kind of goes straight. It doesn’t have that like [Pete] Sampras swing on it where it’s tailing away from you and you’re kind of having to chase it.
“It’s like, if you read it right, you can kind of square it up and get that good pop sound to it. So I think the serve is the most obvious place to improve with Alcaraz.”
In an interview with Ole, Alcaraz gave his reaction to the thoughts of 2003 US Open winner winner Roddick when they were put to him, and outlined how he is currently feeling about his game.
“I feel that the serve is something that I have improved a lot, but I have to continue improving. And then I want to work on how to deal in certain situations,” the Wimbledon champion said.
“I repeat, I have improved a lot, but I actually have to continue improving and I still have a lot to do. The reality is that I feel very confident, with a good level, I come from playing well in Australia, I had good training on clay and physically I am very well, at a very high level of tennis.”
The world No 2 also addressed his decision to return to the Argentina Open in Buenos Aires, where he will defend the title he won in 2023 this week.
“I think that the affection I receive here in Argentina is very nice. I love it and I appreciate it a lot. People are super passionate about sport, about tennis, and are very involved in the matches. I appreciate that a lot,” the 20-year-old explained.
“You have said that the country is going through a difficult economic situation and I have heard that between four and eight thousand people have passed during the qualifying, which means that people love tennis. Plus, the vibes and energy are special, and I wanted to come back.
“In fact, I would tell the players who stay in Europe and those who did not come to try this tour, to play in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, because it is wonderful and it will not disappoint them.”