On the sun-drenched courts of the HSBC Championships at Queen’s Club, London, on June 18, 2025, Carlos Alcaraz unleashed a performance that left spectators in awe. The 22-year-old Spaniard, fresh off his second French Open title, dispatched Adam Walton 6-4, 7-6(4) in his grass-court opener, extending his winning streak on the surface to 14 matches. But beyond his blistering forehand and electrifying athleticism, it was a quieter weapon—his second serve—that proved pivotal, a shot so often overlooked yet devastatingly effective. Courtside observers at Queen’s and Roland Garros have marveled at this underrated facet of Alcaraz’s game, which is quietly cementing his status as a tennis titan.
Alcaraz’s game is a symphony of power and flair. His forehand, lauded by Mats Wilander as “the best of all-time” for its versatility, can loop like Rafael Nadal’s or explode flat for winners. His drop shots, described by fans on social media as “disguised masterpieces,” send opponents scrambling. Boris Becker has called his shot-making “genius,” noting a variation unmatched in tennis history. Yet, it’s the second serve that often goes unnoticed, a shot that lacks the glamour of a 120-mph ace but carries the weight of critical moments. Against Walton, Alcaraz won an impressive 75 percent of his second-serve points, complementing an 86 percent success rate on his first serve. This reliability frustrated Walton, who, despite a spirited performance, couldn’t crack the Spaniard’s service games.
At the French Open, where Alcaraz staged a historic comeback against Jannik Sinner in a five-hour, 29-minute final, his second serve was a lifeline. Trailing two sets and facing three championship points at 3-5, 0-40 in the fourth, Alcaraz held firm, his second serve landing with precision and spin to neutralize Sinner’s aggressive returns. “I just put my heart into it, tried to keep it going,” Alcaraz said post-match, reflecting on his refusal to surrender. His ability to win 70 percent of second-serve points against Sinner, the world No. 1, showcased a weapon that thrives under pressure. Unlike his first serve, which averages 115-120 mph with modest placement, the second serve’s heavy topspin and unpredictable kick make it a tactical gem, forcing opponents into defensive positions.
Courtside at Roland Garros, the second serve’s impact was visceral. Observers noted how Alcaraz’s kick serve, often rising awkwardly for returners, disrupted Sinner’s rhythm, leading to 70 unforced errors. “He was hitting amazing shots,” Alcaraz said of Sinner, but his own second serve ensured he could reset rallies on his terms. This was no fluke; practice sessions reveal Alcaraz honing this shot with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, emphasizing spin over speed to create margin and control. “He’s still in seventh gear,” Becker remarked, suggesting Alcaraz’s potential remains untapped, with the second serve as a cornerstone of his evolving arsenal.
The second serve’s understated brilliance lies in its consistency. While Alcaraz’s aggressive baseline style generates winners and errors in equal measure—his forehand alone produced 50 winners against Sinner—it’s the second serve that anchors his game. Against Walton, it allowed him to dictate play on grass, a surface where returners pounce on weak serves. “It feels to me like this is another level we are seeing from Sinner and Alcaraz,” said former champion Mats Wilander, but Alcaraz’s second serve quietly tilts the scales. As he prepares for Wimbledon, where he’s defending champion, this shot could prove decisive against big servers like Hubert Hurkacz or Alexander Zverev.
Alcaraz’s journey, from a four-year-old swinging a racket in Murcia to a five-time Grand Slam champion, is defined by bold shot-making and infectious charisma. Yet, it’s the second serve, less heralded but no less lethal, that underscores his completeness. As he eyes a third Wimbledon crown, opponents beware: the Spaniard’s quiet weapon is ready to roar.
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