Mats Wilander has commented on the Carlos Alcaraz’s nature as a risky player and says that the Spaniard will not switch styles like Rafael Nadal or Novak Djokovic when faced with adversary.
The Swede believes Alcaraz is the most fun and exciting player ever when playing well but argued that this playfulness “can cause defeats” after the youngster’s defeat to Alexander Zverev in the Australian Open quarterfinal.
On Thursday, 2-time Slam champion Alcaraz was knocked out of the tournament by the German in four sets in the final eight clash of the Australian Open. Zverev came up with one of his best performances in the Grand Slam career as he put on a serving clinic by landing 85% of his first serves and giving just 25 unforced errors in the match.
Alcaraz has been criticized for not improvising and tweaking his ultra-aggressive game as he piled up error count for much of the first three sets.
Wilander in his write up for L’Euqipe expressed his joy for Alcaraz’s game but suggested that the World No. 2 approach can prove counter-productive when matches get complicated and he should learn from the two legends of the game i.e. Nadal and Djokovic.
“Unlike Novak Djokovic or Rafael Nadal, Alcaraz is not a player who will turn his back when it is complicated,” the seven-time Grand Slam champion said.
“He constantly sticks to his nature as a risky player, whether the scoreboard shows 0–0 or 5–5. Of course, when he plays well, he’s the most fun and exciting player I’ve ever seen, but this personality can cause him defeats, like the one he just suffered.”
Former German World No. 1, Boris Becker also pointed fingers on Alcaraz’s overly aggressive playing methodology and lack of consistency, but lauded his efforts in the third set.
“Carlos was very playful today – I would even say too playful. He made an unusually high number of mistakes in the first two sets. He played too many stops and had no balance in his game. Nevertheless, compliments to him for fighting back in the third set,” said the 6-time GS champion while talking to Eurosport.
The 3-time Wimbledon champion was also full of praise for compatriot Zverev and declared that the World No. 6 could win the tournament if he can volley for two more matches like he did against Alcaraz.
“A fabulous performance and an incredibly high level from ‘Sascha’ Zverev. He also kept his nerve after losing the third set,” Becker added.
“Three almost perfect sets and the fighter’s heart to be able to turn the wheel again in the fourth set against a reinvigorated Alcaraz, that was very special. [He won] 95% of points at the net, can we show that to Sascha? That’s how he wins the Australian Open!”