Alcaraz explains technical change to his backhand as he bids to break Monte-Carlo duck
The Spaniard also admits it’s “weird” to be Roland-Garros champion but still chasing his first match win in Monte-Carlo
Chryslene Caillaud / Psnewz
Every top player is continually looking for an edge, that one percent that might make the difference between getting to the back end of slams and winning them.
That’s what separates the best from the rest, the constant search for improvement. Carlos Alcaraz, the world No 3, is no different and as he prepared to begin his campaign at the Monte-Carlo Masters this week, he explained why he has been tinkering with his backhand, taking the racquet back lower than before.
“Well, I think tennis players or just myself, I try to change just a few things,” he told reporters. “I mean, I’m seeing a lot of, a lot of players who I love their backhands, that shot. So I try to see how I can do it or, or how I can copy that.
“So the (reason) behind it was (it) was something that that I just started to change a little bit the movement, the technique, starting a little bit lower, so I just felt like I was able to to play with more topsin and it was more safety for me with the shot. So I just started that and I love it, so I just just kept it.”
“If it’s just small changes, you CAN DO IT in a few days”
Changing technique when you’re already established at the top of the sport is a brave thing but Alcaraz said it was not a huge alteration.
“If you’re changing something totally different than the you used to play or doing, (it) is complicated,” he said. “But if it’s just small changes, it’s normal. So you can change them in three, four days. You get it. It’s not really difficult to do.”
Remarkably, Alcaraz is still searching for his first win in Monte-Carlo, having played the event just once, in 2022, and picked up an injury last year.
“It feels like something is going on here”
“It’s weird, he said, when the oddity of being Roland-Garros champion but never having won a match in Monte-Carlo was mentioned.
“Yeah, it feels like something is going on here. For me, that kind of kind of weird feeling that I just played here once and didn’t get the win here yet.
After losing in the quarter-finals to Novak Djokovic in Australia, Alcaraz won the title in Rotterdam and made the semis in Indian Wells, before losing his first match in Miami to David Goffin. Nevertheless, the Spaniard said he felt his game is in good shape.
“I’m really happy about about the way I’m playing since I started the year,” he said. “Tennis is not just hitting the ball. It’s more about mentally, physically, you have to feel well. But talking about my game, my tennis, I’m really happy about it.
“If I don’t win, doesn’t matter if I play well or not, the people are not thinking about the opponent, just thinking about me and if lose (they think) something’s going on. I think it’s not fair. (But) I’m just happy and ready to play good tennis.”
Alcaraz takes on Francisco Cerundolo in his opening match in Monte-Carlo on Wednesday.
