Carlos Alcaraz's Constantly Changing Serve

[jimlosaltos]

Despite being number one in the world, Carlos Alcaraz is still working on his game, seemingly changing his service motion constantly.

Intuitive Tennis has a YouTube video attempting to keep track of the changes - in pinpoint stance, in upper body rotation, in racket take back.

The YouTube Video is at this link, 8:40 minutes. I'll try to find a few images of interest to post here as well.

[jimlosaltos]

Intuitive Tennis noticed how Alcaraz modified his serve again AFTER the US open.

Part of this is the timing of his step into the pinpoint. A still from the video linked at the beginning of this thread.

filedata/fetch?id=108792&d=1767899698&type=thumb

#

[jimlosaltos]

Note where Alcraz's racket face is facing in these two images.

For the full video go to this link: https://youtu.be/Nz_4z4jDxg8?si=dikFNTZ6mytrS4mD

1 of 2
filedata/fetch?id=108794&d=1767899797&type=thumb

2 of 2
filedata/fetch?id=108795&d=1767899797&type=thumb

#

[stotty]

That was an interesting clip. One of the main reasons I mostly teach a platform stance is because of issues touched on in the video. Players frequently struggle with the timing of sliding the back foot up, and that can create all sorts of synchronisation problems. With a platform stance, you simply remove that variable altogether. It’s a no-brainer for the coach and - in my stable - a player needs a better reason than ‘my favourite player does it’ to switch to pinpoint.

They have certainly done a good deal of tweaking with Carlos’s serve. No question it’s been getting better.

[stotty]

Jim

You should have entered some of your Alcaraz photos. I prefer your Alcaraz snaps: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cy8pk173473o

[jimlosaltos]

Jim

You should have entered some of your Alcaraz photos. I prefer your Alcaraz snaps: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/articles/cy8pk173473o

Thank you! That's an award in itself

P.S. The winner might be photoshopped. The bright sun spot on the top of the ball doesn't seem consistent with the very long shadow ?