Carlos Alcaraz has not enjoyed the start to 2024 that he would have hoped for, but remains confident in his ability to perform in crucial moments.
This is a notion only reinforced by his desire to improve every aspect of his game, in order to reach that next level and become one of the all-time greats capable of usurping Novak Djokovic from his throne.
And, despite receiving criticism from Andy Roddick regarding one particular area of weakness, his response was not a vocal one.
He has accomplished it on the training court.
But what was this supposed weakness which the Spaniard has sought to bolster? We take a closer look…
What has Carlos Alcaraz improved on?
Speaking in the run-up to his return to Buenos Aires, where he will be hoping to retain his title, the 20-year-old superstar was asked his thoughts on Roddick’s comments from earlier in the month.
As humble and happy as ever, he took no offence to them, instead speaking about the positive impact they have had.
The 2023 Wimbledon champion then noted: ‘I feel that the serve is something that I have improved a lot, but I have to continue improving. And then I want to work on how to deal in certain situations,” the Wimbledon champion said.
‘I repeat, I have improved a lot, but I actually have to continue improving and I still have a lot to do. The reality is that I feel very confident, with a good level, I come from playing well in Australia, I had good training on clay and physically I am very well, at a very high level of tennis.’
Carlos Alcaraz hoping to retain his Buenos Aires Title
As one of the 12 career titles that Alcaraz has captured across his stunning few years on the tour, Alcaraz has already made his affection for the Argentina capital well known.
It is likely this love for the country and its culture that has drawn him back at the first time of asking, as he faces a lower level of competition with the likes of Cameron Norrie and Nicolas Jarry as top seeds.
A heavy favourite to retain the trophy, he will hope to get his first title of the season under his belt after a frustrating Australian Open where he was knocked out by Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals.
Building up momentum will be crucial for the youngster, who will want to both retain his Wimbledon crown whilst also earning his first-ever Roland-Garros title. Commentator Nick Lester has already predicted him to come back to enjoy a more profitable 2024 than Jannik Sinner too.
With so much to juggle, an improvement on an asset as crucial as his serve could be the difference in these tournaments.
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