Fernando Rey Tapias Analysis: Mentality, Carlitos Weapon

In an epic match that lasted four hours and forty-four minutes, Carlos Alcaraz beat the big favorite Novak Djokovicwinning his second Grand Slam tournament and ensuring his continued hold on the number one spot in the world rankings.

ATYPICAL BEGINNING

A perfect start by the Serbs and a superb reaction

The match started badly for the Spaniard. After two closely contested and lost games, the first set fell 6-1 in just over 30 minutes.. He was not comfortable against an opponent who played a perfect set. It is normal, considering the difference in experience, that the Serb continues to dominate the game, but in the second set, Alcaraz relaxed and started to play eye to eye to the Serb who began to show signs of concern. The set was decided in a tie break, and statistics showed that Djokovic had not lost a single Grand Slam final. However, Alcaraz played with his usual confidence and won.

THE KEY OF THE THIRD SET

Balkan service drop

The third set was decisive. The mentality of both of them changed and the impression was created that anyone can win. A very different situation at the end of the first set, when the vast majority of fans were betting on a clear victory for the Serbs.

The pace was hectic, with exchanges opening up a track that required a lot of wear. The percentage of the first serve was the weakest of both players, an aspect that favored the Spaniard, since Djokovic usually wins a lot of free points with his serve. Carlos used the opportunity to break Novak’s serve and with 3-1 in favor of the Serb’s serve, the game that followed lasted no more and no less than 26 minutes. There were advantages for both players, until at the end Alcaraz won the second break and won 6-1.

OUTCOME

The applicant, true to his style, drops and uploads to the network

After going through the locker room, Djokovic made another move and surprised Carlos, winning the fourth set. and taking the game to five, where it was assumed that his greater experience would give him an advantage. But he found that the Murcian, thanks to the great mentality of his youth, he played his best tennis. He ventured with his usual variations, drop shots and volleys (which he had not done well so far) and, cutting the backhand, either lure the Serb to the net and pass it, or take the rhythm out of his shot, That surprised him. He broke his serve very quickly and held that break until the final 6-4, without Djokovic finding a way to overcome it.

FORCES

Compendium of virtues: mentality, diverse game, character, spontaneity…

In short, a sensational victory for the Spanish. Against the toughest opponent on the track, with a bad start in which he is clearly outclassed, he has the mental strength and the necessary shots to withstand the onslaught of an unrelenting opponent; win a tie break; tie the score and beat him in a tough third set; not to yield to the opponent’s reaction in the fourth; and, with hardly any experience in those situations, playing his best tennis in the fifth. That’s how he managed to win the most important tournament against the currently most qualified opponent, before the audience surrendered to the naturalness, quality and self-confidence of this 20-year-old young man who became loved by all the fans.

With a competitive and winning mentality, excellent physical fitness and magnificent technique in all strokes, Carlos is a real treasure for Spanish tennis. Sometimes it gets a little messy, but for that there is another phenomenon like Juan Carlos Ferrero, who directs his steps with his team in an exemplary way.