Is Carlos Alcaraz a clay-court specialist or an all-court player? Patrick Mouratoglou has his say…

Shahida Jacobs 20 Apr 2023 1:43 PM

When Carlos Alcaraz made his initial breakthrough, many believed he would follow in Rafael Nadal’s footsteps in terms of being a clay-court specialist, but the teenager is proving to be a player for all courts.

Back in 2021, Alcaraz became the youngest player to win a match on the clay in Madrid and later in the campaign he won his maiden title at the Croatia Open, which was also played on clay in Umag.

The following year he took it up a notch as he won the Rio Open – also on clay – before his first hard-court title success came at the Miami Open, but it wasn’t long before he picked up more trophies on the red dirt at the Barcelona Open and Madrid Open.

Alcaraz then finished runner-up at two more clay events and many believes his maiden Grand Slam would come at the French Open, but he enjoyed a magical on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows in September last year to win the US Open.

Although the Spaniard is yet to win a title on grass, he even proved at Wimbledon last year that he has what it takes to perform on the surface as he reached the fourth round on only his second visit to SW19.

Renowned tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou is very much in the Alcaraz is “an all-court player” camp as he gave a detailed explanation on social media on why the youngster is such a brilliant player on all surfaces.

“I think Carlos Alcaraz is an all-court player, I don’t think he is a clay-court player,” the Frenchman said in an Instagram video. “Rafa is more of a clay court player. Of course, he’s an all-court player, but he has learned to be good on other surfaces, but originally, he was really a clay court player, which is not the case for Carlos.

“I think he’s an all-court player from the start. He’s good on hard as on clay, maybe I would give him a little advantage on clay than hard because he has some weapons that are deadly on clay.

“The drop shot, and he’s a master in drop shots. His kick serve which is one of the best, if not the best, on Tour and his forehand. On clay you have more time to turn around the backhands to hit forehands and dictate with his shots.

“And of course, he’s an incredible mover. When you put all of this together, I think it gives him even an extra edge on clay compared to hard court.”