Alcaraz's Desire To Dictate Can Be Double-Edged Sword Says Roddick
NewsThursday, 03 April 2025 at 10:03
Carlos Alcaraz's mindset on the court during challenging moments has been evaluated by Andy Roddick, who thinks the Spaniard reacts differently to other great players.
Alcaraz suffered a setback at the 2025 Miami Open. Belgian veteran David Goffin recovered from losing the first set to defeat him, leaving the fans watching in the stands and at home stunned.
The 21-year-old was more tense than usual throughout the match. He had a passionate exchange with Juan Carlos Ferrero at 0-2 in the deciding set, with his coach trying to inspire him to turn the match around.
Alcaraz also made several unforced errors, including more than 20 with his usually formidable forehand. He became increasingly desperate in the third set and tried to hit himself out of trouble.
Speaking on the Served With Andy Roddick podcast, the 2003 US Open champion said that Alcaraz's tendency to become more aggressive when not at his best is a recurring theme and that many other champions take the opposite approach.
"Right now, when he's not playing well or not feeling comfortable, he goes more aggressive. That's hard, and most of the greats throughout history tend to dial it back, find some margin and then all of a sudden, you're consistent enough where you can take more risks and it's not irresponsible."
"Right now...when he's not feeling perfect, it almost feels like he gets more aggressive, and I almost want him to go into a match and say, 'Okay, for the first six games, I'm literally going to take this person's legs out and my ball is heavier than theirs. They're going to have to hit winners for six games."
Alcaraz is a natural entertainer who loves to thrill fans with his shot-making. Roddick thinks that the young ATP star's exhilarating style makes it hard for him to play more conservatively and accept winners being hit past him.
"I don't think he likes getting winners hit on him. I think he likes to be the one that dictates and that's his superpower, and sometimes our superpowers can also be weaknesses when not used in the right moments."
Alcaraz's four Grand Slam titles can make it easy to forget how young he still is. Becoming more mature and aware of the correct way to play in certain moments will be part of his development over the next few years.
It is fair to say that Alcaraz sometimes finds it challenging to adapt in certain moments. The world No. 3 has admitted to relying on coach Juan Carlos Ferrero during matches. That can be helpful, but it also prevents him from thinking for himself.
Alcaraz will be without Ferrero during next week's 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters. That was also the case at the 2025 Qatar Open, but the two-time Wimbledon winner coped impressively and won the tournament with Samuel Lopez supporting him.
Lopez is set to be Alcaraz's main coach again in Monte-Carlo. Ferrero plans to return at the 2025 Barcelona Open, scheduled for the week after. Alcaraz won his home tournament in 2022 and 2023.
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