Apr 24, 2023·edited Apr 24, 2023Liked by Hugh Clarke
Hugh, thanks again. I enjoy your analysis so much. Reading this one and with the memory of the Tsitsipas vs Musetti semi fresh in mind, I went back to the article you wrote about the Hamburg final last year. The first and most obvious observation is that Alcaraz has raised to yet greater heights since Hamburg. The second though is how different the ad side dynamic is between Tsitsipas and Musetti, and what this means for the opponent, especially in this clay court context. Could I be forgiven for thinking having a strong backhand may be more advantageous than having a super forehand?
Thanks Jeremy. Yep, Alcaraz seems to have gone to another level even since last year. Overall just seems more solid and less "loose" from the back.
I think it depends. Tennis is always about matchups. Against Nadal having a stronger ad-side game was more advantageous, but there are a lot of nuances that go into a matchup. Short answer for tsitsipas v alcaraz is: yes, I think a stronger backhand would suit the game better. You see that with Sinner when he plays carlos. Sinner is able to pin him there or at least hold his own enough to trouble him. Zverev last year in Paris also troubled Alcaraz with a better backhand battle that you can read here:
Great read as always. I think we will definitely see more players trying the drop shot more often and more players practising it as well and therefore getting better at it. I understand that most other players don't have the power to push player back as much, but you definitely see players being really far back and the opponent still trying to hit around them without the confidence to hit a drop shot. I think that comes from people not being so good at it and historically being more of a cop out to get out of long rallies.
Another great article - I truly enjoy reading these analytical pieces.
Hypothetical question on Alcaraz's "North-South off-the-ball movement". Do you think it would have been as effective vs the Big 3 in their heydays? I suspect not as they were so good at passing shots even on the move or not totally balanced.
Good question. I think it definitely would have been effective to a degree but of course the Big3 at their best would have had more solutions. Would have been fascinating to see them all battle out.
Hugh, thanks again. I enjoy your analysis so much. Reading this one and with the memory of the Tsitsipas vs Musetti semi fresh in mind, I went back to the article you wrote about the Hamburg final last year. The first and most obvious observation is that Alcaraz has raised to yet greater heights since Hamburg. The second though is how different the ad side dynamic is between Tsitsipas and Musetti, and what this means for the opponent, especially in this clay court context. Could I be forgiven for thinking having a strong backhand may be more advantageous than having a super forehand?
Thanks Jeremy. Yep, Alcaraz seems to have gone to another level even since last year. Overall just seems more solid and less "loose" from the back.
I think it depends. Tennis is always about matchups. Against Nadal having a stronger ad-side game was more advantageous, but there are a lot of nuances that go into a matchup. Short answer for tsitsipas v alcaraz is: yes, I think a stronger backhand would suit the game better. You see that with Sinner when he plays carlos. Sinner is able to pin him there or at least hold his own enough to trouble him. Zverev last year in Paris also troubled Alcaraz with a better backhand battle that you can read here:
https://hughclarke.substack.com/p/zverev-x-alcaraz-roland-garros-match
Nice content!
Nitpicky, but Alcaraz is 4-0 against Tsitsipas and he’s made 4/5 finals this year due to the Miami semis loss
Terrible unforced errors from me there. Thanks for the pick up, Ben!
Great read as always. I think we will definitely see more players trying the drop shot more often and more players practising it as well and therefore getting better at it. I understand that most other players don't have the power to push player back as much, but you definitely see players being really far back and the opponent still trying to hit around them without the confidence to hit a drop shot. I think that comes from people not being so good at it and historically being more of a cop out to get out of long rallies.
Another great article - I truly enjoy reading these analytical pieces.
Hypothetical question on Alcaraz's "North-South off-the-ball movement". Do you think it would have been as effective vs the Big 3 in their heydays? I suspect not as they were so good at passing shots even on the move or not totally balanced.
Thanks Yang,
Good question. I think it definitely would have been effective to a degree but of course the Big3 at their best would have had more solutions. Would have been fascinating to see them all battle out.