Tennis legend and Coach Boris Becker has explained why Carlos Alcaraz was unable to maintain his cruising form after trumping Novak Djokovic in 2023 Wimbledon Final.
The former German World No. 1 believes battling with Djokovic and securing maiden Wimbledon crown played a part in Alcaraz’s post-SW19 dip, while noting that other players have since shifted gears to improve but Spaniard lost his way.
Alcaraz has just concluded a stellar 2023 season which saw him win 6 titles between February and his most highlighted victory and the All England Club in July. By winning the Wimbledon, the 20-year-old snapped Djokovic’s 34-match win streak at the SW19.
However, the post-Wimbledon has remained a concerning period for the Spaniard and his team as he only made one final (Cincinnati Masters) in the last seven events he entered in which he has lost 6 of his last 13 matches going to back to the semifinals at Flushing Meadows where his title defense bid was ended by Daniil Medvedev in four sets.
In an episode of the Eurosport Germany Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast, Becker assessed the reason behind the decline in 20-year-old’s form in the latter half of 2023 season.
“Why is that? Dueling with Djokovic, becoming No 1 in the world and winning Wimbledon for the first time – maintaining this level is the most difficult thing in tennis,” said Becker.
“Anyone can have a good tournament or a good year from time to time, but maintaining that level over the years is the real challenge. My favorite saying in this context is: ‘The locker room never sleeps’.
“It means that the other players have realized how you have to play against Alcaraz to have a chance against him. That’s what happened. Other players have developed and Alcaraz hasn’t.”
The 6-time Singles Grand Slam champion said that he expects Alcaraz’s Coach Juan Carlos Ferrero to help him make the necessary adjustments in his game during the off-season.
“He continues to play fantastic tennis. I love watching him play tennis at its best with his footwork, his variation, his serve and his forehand. But the top players have adapted to this and know how to counter it,” he continued.
“I’m convinced that Alcaraz will now train something new or different with Juan Carlos Ferrero in the winter and improve. Their task is to further develop his strengths. And I’m also convinced that we’ll see a very strong Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open 2024.”
The German has joined forces with Alcaraz’s Danish rival Holger Rune and is working with him since October.