Carlos Alcaraz is an all-rounded player with devastating shots and knife-like slices of the ball. His backhand is one of his fiercest weapons, and its destructive proficiency was on display in Arthur Ashe Stadium during his first-round US Open match. He had previously employed the shot with great success during his Wimbledon triumph against Novak Djokovic.
His skill with both hands on the grip of his Babolat tennis racquet often ensures that his opponent is pinned back on the baseline and unable to reach the ball when the Spaniard slices it short. The world No. 2 dallied with a one-handed backhand before but quickly returned to his dual-handed shot to produce optimal results.
Alcaraz reflects on trying a one-handed backhand
During his post-match press conference, Carlos Alcaraz was questioned by a journalist who asked if coaches had considered developing his one-handed backhand as a child.
“Well, I think it’s not true (smiling). I mean, when I was young, I loved to try new things. Probably one-handed backhand was one of those things that I practiced just one day. I love to do it different shots, different things on court. Probably that day I watched Roger Federer match, and I try to imitate him. I didn’t practice too much that one-handed backhand. I think my backhand, it was improving during these years.”
“When I was young, my forehand was my best shot. It’s still my best shot, but I feel really comfortable with my backhand,” Alcaraz added.
Carlos Alcaraz’s backhand was among several facets of his game that he utilized to dominate his opponents in a brief meeting. He was leading 6-2, 3-2 against Dominik Koepfer before the German conceded the match due to an ankle injury. Alcaraz will probably aim to maintain that level as he takes to the court on Friday for his second-round meeting with South African Lloyd Harris.
Has Federer ever faced Alcaraz in a major tournament?
Carlos Alcaraz turned pro in 2018, four years before Roger Federer‘s retirement. The two have never competed in a professional tennis match, although Alcaraz has faced Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic—the other two of the ‘Big 3’.
Roger Federer has expressed his admiration for the 20-year-old and his disappointment at not having the chance to play against the Spaniard. Alcaraz had expressed his desire to play Federer before his retirement, but that wish never materialized as the Swiss maestro ended his career in 2022.
In a press conference, Federer recalled practicing with Alcaraz during his junior days and being impressed by Carlito’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Juan Carlos, a Spanish former world number 1 player, has faced Federer 13 times and leads 10-3 in their head-to-head record. It would have been remarkable to see Federer face a multi-generational set of players.
“I’m sad for not having a chance to play Alcaraz. Loved the US Open. Practiced with him once at Wimbledon when he was playing juniors and he did well. Then I was even more excited to practice with Ferrero, who didn’t miss a ball”, Roger said.
Having won his maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open a year ago, Alcaraz is defending a major crown for the first time this fortnight at Flushing Meadows. After his Cincinnati Open defeat to Novak Djokovic and the Serbian’s straight-set victory in his first-round match, Carlos Alcaraz relinquished his world No. 1 ranking to Djokovic. However, the mercurial Spaniard remained unfazed and embraced the challenge.
“I’m not thinking about defending the title. I was not thinking about that I was the champion last year. I just focus on playing my best level, to recover the level that I played last year, and try to do the same things that I did last year. That’s the only thing that I’m thinking right now. I try to be apart from all the pressure people put on me about being the defending champion.”, Alcaraz stated.
What are your thoughts on the one-handed backhand shot? Players like Stefanos Tsitsipas and Dominic Thiem credit Roger Federer for influencing their styles. How much does Carlos Alcaraz benefit from playing a two-handed backhand? Does it help him achieve better control over his shots? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
