Carlos Alcaraz has been told that he has been doing something throughout this US Open that is disrupting his opponents, and thus benefiting him.
Aside from his magical and focused play from the past week and a half, David Law of The Tennis Podcast, actually pointed out how the Spaniard’s demeanour differs from his upcoming semi-final opponent, Novak Djokovic.
After all, it was noted in that same conversation how Alcaraz should not copy Djokovic’s tactics involving mind games and slowing down the play, which affected him so badly in Melbourne earlier this year.
Similarly, it was noted how his jubilant, joyful and relaxed demeanour throughout this US Open is actually unsettling opponents, as they cannot disrupt his rhythm.
Carlos Alcaraz told he is ‘impacting opponents’ with his attitude
Speaking on the aforementioned podcast, Law began by previewing that mouth-watering match-up against the Serbian superstar.
He noted: “All of the experiences, particularly with Djokovic, I think, have stayed with him. I think he’s been.
“He’s been ambushed a few times by Djokovic’s… I don’t want to say mind games, but I think presence and a kind of ability to just change the mood of a match. And Alcaraz has not known what to do sometimes, and he’s not known when the attack’s coming at him, and it’s come out of the blue, and everything’s going fine. And then suddenly, oh, my word, why is he playing like this now? I thought he was hurt a minute ago. It’s all this sort of stuff.
“We’ve seen it in Cincinnati, we saw it at the Olympics. We’ve seen it now in Australia. But also, I think it’s also… He gave this amazing insight into how there are two battles going on out on a court. There’s a physical and a tennis battle, and then there’s the body language you give to your opponent, the way you carry yourself.”
Having just watched Carlos Alcaraz smile his way through a straight-sets demolition of Jiri Lehecka, Law then continued: “And I do think when we’ve watched him today, I mean, he looks absolutely as healthy and as strong and as ready and as focused as he could ever look. He’s got the shaved head, he’s got the pink vest, he looks fit as a butcher’s dog. You know, he looks so healthy and ready to go.
“And he’s carrying himself with a strut, but it’s not a sort of I’m distracted and looking everywhere as a strut. It’s a sort of I’m feeling it, and you’re gonna get it, strut. And I tell you, I think it’s impacting opponents, and I think even if it isn’t, he feels like it is, so he feels even better.”
Carlos Alcaraz should never change his attitude
If Alcaraz ever felt compelled to change his attitude to win more often, it would be a massive blow for tennis.
After all, the energy and enthusiasm he is currently bringing to the sport is infectious and unlike anything else on the men’s tour.
Not only is he blessed with god-given talent, and has worked supremely hard to gain a phenomenal physique, but his enjoyment from playing feeds into the crowds.
It is what makes him such a fan favourite, as he blends the unimaginable with tangible results.
If he were to lose that sparkle in favour of a more ruthless or tactical outlook, the tour would not be the same. Alcaraz, like everyone who plays the sport, has their role to play in the wider narrative of tennis.
His just happens to be a starring one.
