Carlos Alcaraz reloads: New racquet and serve aim for Aussie glory

Carlos Alcaraz had a great 2024 season, claiming two Major titles and writing history books. However, the Spaniard failed to wrap up the year in the top-2 like in 2022 and 2023, finishing behind Jannik Sinner and Alexander Zverev. 

Carlos has been working hard on improvements ahead of 2025, with Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez bringing new elements to his game. The 21-year-old’s fine-tuning includes a slightly heavier racquet and changes to the service mechanics.

The Spaniard is using the new Babolat racquet with five grams of lead tape added to its neck, seeking greater power and weight behind his strokes. 

Carlos Alcaraz, ATP Finals 2024

Carlos Alcaraz, ATP Finals 2024© Stream screenshot

 

Ferrero and Lopez wanted to take advantage of Carlos’ outstanding acceleration and make his strokes even more lethal. By Lopez’s words, the improvement is already there, especially on the return. Alcaraz further refined his increased flat-hitting style with new strings.

The young Spaniard also implemented a pivotal change to his service motion, adding another weapon to his rich arsenal. Alcaraz has embraced a single-motion rhythm. The young gun seeks consistency behind the initial shot and more reliable performance.

Let’s not forget that Carlos hit over 100 double faults and got broken over 100 times in 2024! He wants to change that and put more pressure on his opponents. World no. 3 will fly to Melbourne on January 4, hoping to fight for the only missing Major crown in his collection. 

Carlos Alcaraz, Laver Cup 2024

Laver Cup 2024© Stream screenshot

 

Carlos is 7-3 at the Australian Open. He debuted as a qualifier in 2021, becoming the youngest player with a win in Melbourne since Thanasi Kokkinakis. The young gun lost to Matteo Berrettini after a thriller in 2022 and missed the first Major of the season a year later due to an injury. 

The Spaniard notched his first Australian Open quarter-final last year. He fell to Alexander Zverev in four sets after not playing at his best, especially at the beginning of the duel.

​Tennis World USA


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