Jannik Sinner’s loss in the US Open final to Carlos Alcaraz marked a tenth against the Spaniard in his career from their 15 meetings, and has sparked confusion within the former’s camp.
It is arguably the only rivalry he shares with anyone on tour at the moment, given how he brushes aside almost every other competitor he faces with remarkable ease.
Adding to that, the Italian has beaten Carlos Alcaraz once out of their last eight matches, highlighting just how much he struggles against the new world number one.
However, despite what the head-to-head might suggest, he is not as outmatched as it might seem.
It was, therefore, worrying to see him speak so scathingly about his own game after that US Open final defeat.
Jannik Sinner needs to make one change the next time he plays Carlos Alcaraz
Analysing his latest defeat to Alcaraz at his post-match press conference, Jannik Sinner admitted: “I was very predictable today.
“But you always do the same things, you know, like I did, for example, during this tournament.
“I didn’t make one volley, you know, I didn’t use a lot of drop shots. And then you arrive to a point where you play against Carlos when, where you have to go out of the comfort zone so I’m gonna aim to, you know, maybe even losing some matches from now on, but trying to do some changes, trying to be a bit more unpredictable as a player and because I think that’s what I have to do, trying to become a better tennis player.”
Now, whilst that shows the kind of ambition that will forge a legendary tennis player, it is worrying given how dominant he’s been over the last 12 months.
Realistically, the only change Sinner needs to make is the exact one that essentially won Alcaraz the US Open title: getting a more powerful and consistent serve.
This notion was emphasised when Sinner was strongly advised not to change one key area of his game based on this one match.
Jannik Sinner’s serving stats from the US Open final loss to Carlos Alcaraz
It’s not just the serve in general though, which seldom lets Sinner down.
It’s ensuring the serve stands up to pressure in the big moments against his greatest rival.
After all, throughout the tournament, he was comfortable as he cruised through rounds, dropping just two sets on his way to the final.
However, his first serve percentage, and points won on both his first and second serve dropped dramatically in that showdown with Alcaraz, and ultimately it proved costly.
If he was broken, even once in a set, he did not manage to right back. It was a cut-and-dry final, with little drama. Alcaraz’s lethal serving made that the case.
Against him in the Wimbledon final, it was that same shot which kept the 22-year-old at arm’s length throughout the match. He is able to do it.
He does not need to completely overhaul his game based on one match. Just ensuring the serve regains consistency against Alcaraz would be enough to revolutionise his chances in their next meeting.
