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Despite Hailing Carlos Alcaraz, Longtime Roger Federer Coach Reveals One Aspect in His Game That Might Thwart Him for Greatness

Published 08/04/2023, 8:46 AM EDT

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For the majority of this century, the G.O.A.T debate in tennis has revolved around the Big 3 – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. Greats of the game like Andy Murray and Stanislas Wawrinka have posed considerable challenges to these 3 stalwarts at times, but overall, their humongous accolades and sheer longevity have put them in a league of their own. The young generation has tried but failed to emulate their success. However, there’s a new sensation that has taken the tennis world by storm. He is none other than Carlos Alcaraz.

With 2 grand slam titles already in his kitty, the 20-year-old Spaniard is touted to break multiple records going forward. The great Roger Federer‘s former coach Severin Luthi, however, has pointed out a rare flaw in the game of Alcaraz, which might prevent him from achieving what he is really capable of.

What’s still lacking in the game of Alcaraz according to Roger Federer’s former coach?

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Carlos Alcaraz announced his arrival on the big stage by winning his maiden grand slam title at the US Open last year. But, his coronation at the helm of men’s tennis took place at the Wimbledon championships this year – he dethroned 4-time defending champion Novak Djokovic to win the Wimbledon crown in epic fashion. With his impeccable skill set, the world number 1 is all set to dominate the sport in the upcoming years. Having said that, there still is one aspect of his game that he can improve on, feels the former coach of Roger Federer, Severin Luthi.

via Reuters

In an interview with Swiss German-language daily Blick, Luthi heaped praises on the young Spaniard but claimed that he can still work on his service games. “I like watching him, he plays in a variety of ways, something always happens when he’s on the pitch. I really like his energy. He also still has ups and downs in his service games. But of course he is a very complete player. He definitely has everything to win many Grand Slam tournaments.” Federer’s former coach also cited how things can be unpredictable about the future of prodigies like Alcaraz.

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He said, “And yet we don’t know what will happen in two years… What if he hurts himself? What if another one comes in a few years that we all say is even more incredible? In sports, we always live in the moment. I learned that in my career”. [translated via Google]

‘Said That?’- Roger Federer Caught By Surprise as Carlos Alcaraz’s Coach Makes an Astonishing BIG 3 Confession About the 20YO Spaniard

Even after taking into account the minuscule flaws in his game, there is no denying the fact that Alcaraz is the most exciting and promising talent there is on the ATP tour today.

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Carlos Alcaraz: The rightful successor of the Big 3?

Amassing a whopping 65 grand slam titles among them in the last 2 decades, the trio of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic dominated the game of tennis in ways no others were capable of. They conquered almost all obstacles presented in front of them throughout their careers, even getting the better of much younger, and talented ATP stars present in the tour. But Carlos Alcaraz seems to be of a different breed. Ever since he burst onto the scene, his gameplay has been compared to that of the Big 3, and his recent heroics have only justified all the hype around him.

USA Today via Reuters

With Roger Federer retired and Rafael Nadal’s final run on the cards, a change of guard spearheaded by Carlos Alcaraz looks all the more imminent. And after his historic triumph against Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon finals, there remains hardly any doubt of a tectonic shift in the balance of power in men’s tennis.

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Written by:

Prithviraj Roy

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Prithviraj Roy is a tennis writer at EssentiallySports. With an academic background in Journalism & Mass Communication from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), he has more than 2 years of experience as a Content Writer. Prithviraj has been a die-hard fan of the 'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal since his childhood years.
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Edited by:

Aishwary Gaonkar