On the sun-drenched grass of Wimbledon’s Centre Court, Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, powered through to the third round of the 2025 Championships with a commanding 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 victory over British qualifier Oliver Tarvet. Yet, beneath the surface of this seemingly routine win, a persistent issue continues to shadow the 22-year-old Spaniard’s quest for a historic third consecutive Wimbledon title: his serve. Despite his undeniable brilliance, Alcaraz’s serve remains a vulnerability that could threaten his dominance on grass, a surface where he has otherwise established himself as a near-unstoppable force.
Alcaraz’s match against Tarvet, ranked 733rd in the world, was a showcase of his electrifying all-court game. The Spaniard struck 37 winners and broke Tarvet’s serve six times in a match that lasted just over two hours. His speed, touch, and relentless groundstrokes overwhelmed the young Briton, who was making his Grand Slam debut after coming through qualifying. “I just love his game to be honest,” Alcaraz said of Tarvet post-match, praising the 21-year-old’s performance on the sport’s most iconic stage. “The level he played in the first match on Centre Court, which I know is really difficult, was great tennis.” Alcaraz’s graciousness extended beyond words, as he joined the crowd in a standing ovation for Tarvet, who showed flashes of potential with 11 break point opportunities, though he converted only two.
The victory marked Alcaraz’s 16th consecutive win at Wimbledon, a streak that underscores his mastery on grass. With a 27-3 career record at the All England Club, he boasts an 89.5% win rate, trailing only legends like Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras in the Open Era. Fresh off a French Open title and a triumph at Queen’s Club, Alcaraz is riding a 20-match win streak, the longest of his career. His recent successes, including a dramatic five-set win over Fabio Fognini in the first round, have positioned him as the favorite to become only the fifth man to win three straight Wimbledon titles, joining Borg, Roger Federer, Pete Sampras, and Novak Djokovic in that elite group. Yet, the shadow of his serving struggles looms large.
Throughout the match against Tarvet, Alcaraz’s serve came under pressure, with the Briton generating multiple break points, particularly in the opening game. While Alcaraz saved all but two of the 11 break points he faced, his first serve percentage hovered below his usual standard, and he committed four double faults compared to just three aces. “I knew at the beginning I had to be really focused, had to play my best tennis,” Alcaraz admitted, acknowledging the challenge posed by Tarvet’s aggressive returns. This issue is not new; in his grueling first-round match against Fognini, Alcaraz struggled with uncharacteristic errors off the ground and a serve that lacked its usual bite, requiring nearly four and a half hours to secure the win. Posts on X have highlighted this concern, with some fans and analysts questioning whether his serve could derail his Wimbledon ambitions.
Alcaraz’s serve has long been the weakest link in his otherwise complete game. While his forehand, described as a weapon that can “hit flat and fast for winners from every court position” or add topspin for control, and his lightning-fast movement make him a nightmare for opponents, his serve remains inconsistent. At Queen’s Club, he showed improvement, averaging 12 aces per match and seeing 33% of his first serves go unreturned. However, at Wimbledon, where the grass rewards precision and power, his serve has yet to reach that level of reliability. Former British number one John Lloyd noted, “His serves are getting better and better,” but the numbers tell a different story in high-pressure moments, where Alcaraz’s first serve percentage dips and double faults creep in.
As Alcaraz moves into the third round to face either Felix Auger-Aliassime or Jan-Lennard Struff, the stakes are higher. Both players possess the firepower to exploit any serving lapses, and with top seeds like Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic looming in the draw, Alcaraz cannot afford to give opponents easy opportunities. His ability to adapt, as seen in his recovery from a two-set deficit against Sinner at the French Open, is a testament to his mental fortitude. “I found the right way to try and enjoy after every match,” Alcaraz said, emphasizing his focus on staying positive regardless of the scoreline. This mindset, coupled with his recent work on his serve mechanics, offers hope that he can iron out these issues.
The narrative of Alcaraz’s 2025 Wimbledon campaign is one of a champion chasing history while battling his own imperfections. At 22, he is already a five-time Grand Slam winner, with titles on clay, grass, and hard courts. His 89.8% win rate in 2025 and a favorable draw that keeps him away from Sinner and Djokovic until a potential final make him a formidable contender. Yet, the serve remains the key issue that could determine whether he joins the pantheon of Wimbledon legends or falls short. As he prepares for his next challenge, Alcaraz’s blend of humility, resilience, and raw talent ensures that Centre Court will remain a stage for his brilliance, even as he works to conquer his one lingering weakness.
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