As Wimbledon 2025 approaches, Carlos Alcaraz stands as the undisputed favorite to claim a third consecutive title at the All England Club, a feat that would place him among tennis’s elite. The 22-year-old Spaniard, already a five-time Grand Slam champion, has dazzled the tennis world with his relentless energy, lightning-fast movement, and versatile shot-making. However, it’s his revamped serve that has become the talk of the sport, propelling him to new heights on grass. Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli recently shared insights into the technical tweaks behind Alcaraz’s newfound serving prowess, revealing how his dedication to refining this weapon has made him a formidable force ahead of the Championships, starting June 30, 2025.
Alcaraz’s 2025 season has been a masterclass in resilience and brilliance. After overcoming early-season struggles, including a dip in motivation, he stormed to five titles, including the French Open, where he battled back from two sets down to defeat world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a five-hour epic. His triumph at the Queen’s Club Championships, where he outlasted Jiri Lehecka in a 7-5, 6-7, 6-2 final, extended his winning streak to 19 matches and solidified his grass court credentials. It was here that his serve shone brightest, with Alcaraz not facing a single break point in the final and firing 18 aces against Lehecka. Bartoli, speaking ahead of Wimbledon, pinpointed the secret to this transformation: relentless practice and a refined technique. “I was in Rome during the Masters 1000 when Jannik Sinner returned to the tour,” she recalled. “Every evening, I saw Carlos Alcaraz practicing countless serves, tweaking his motion. Initially, he was a bit skeptical about the changes Juan Carlos Ferrero suggested, particularly about using his wrist more.”
Under the guidance of his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Alcaraz overhauled his serve mechanics, moving from a motion with two pauses to a smoother, single-pause rhythm. This adjustment, first implemented before the 2024 clay season, enhanced his serving flow, particularly on grass, where the serve is a critical weapon. Bartoli noted its impact at Queen’s: “He frequently used a wide slice serve, especially in the deuce court against Lehecka, relying on that slider shot consistently.” This tactical shift allowed Alcaraz to dominate service games, winning 92% of his first-serve points against Arthur Rinderknech and saving the lone break point he faced against Roberto Bautista Agut. His average first-serve speed at Wimbledon 2024 hit 121 mph, with peaks at 135 mph against Frances Tiafoe, a stark improvement over his earlier career. “It’s something I’ve improved quite a lot,” Alcaraz said after that match, underscoring his commitment to making his serve a game-changer.
The evolution of Alcaraz’s serve is not just technical but strategic. Unlike top servers like Jannik Sinner, whose serves land closer to the sidelines for precision, Alcaraz’s delivery still sees 20% of serves hitting the middle of the service box, compared to Sinner’s 6%. Yet, his ability to mix power with variety—such as the wide slice serve—has made it a lifeline in clutch moments. In his 2024 Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz’s serving prowess overwhelmed the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who admitted, “I’ve never seen him serve that way, to be honest.” Alcaraz generated 14 break points to Djokovic’s three, showcasing how his serve sets up his aggressive baseline game, keeping opponents under constant pressure.
Bartoli’s observations echo broader praise from tennis luminaries. Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick, analyzing Alcaraz’s Queen’s performance, noted, “He serves great on grass. He dominated in the Wimbledon final last year against Novak.” Former British No. 1 John Lloyd added, “His serves are getting better and better,” highlighting Alcaraz’s growth into a complete player. At 22, with four grass court titles—matching Rafael Nadal’s career tally—Alcaraz’s versatility across surfaces is unmatched. His 2024 Wimbledon triumph, a 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 rout of Djokovic, underscored his ability to adapt, with 72.7% of his net points won compared to Djokovic’s 50.9%.
As Alcaraz prepares for Wimbledon, where he aims to join Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras as one of the few men to win three straight titles in the Open Era, his serve will be key. “Grass-court mode is activated,” he declared after his Queen’s semi-final, a mindset that carries into his London preparations. With no pre-Wimbledon tournaments on his schedule, Alcaraz plans to “enjoy London a little bit” while fine-tuning his game. Bartoli’s revelation about his serve underscores a player who, despite his youth, is already rewriting tennis history, one precise, powerful delivery at a time.
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