Andy Roddick Criticizes Alcaraz’s Serve: Is the Young Tennis Star Falling Behind?
In a surprising turn of events, former world number one and renowned server, Andy Roddick, has openly criticized Carlos Alcaraz’s lack of improvement in his serving game over the past two years. Roddick, widely regarded as one of the best servers of this century, claims that Alcaraz’s serve is far from satisfactory. According to Roddick, the young star’s serve speed has decreased, failing to surpass the 200-kilometer-per-hour mark that he once achieved after winning the Miami Open in 2022, where he registered serves exceeding 210 kilometers per hour.
Alcaraz himself has acknowledged the need to enhance his serve, a sentiment expressed on multiple occasions. However, players such as Sinner, Medvedev, Zverev, and even Djokovic have overtaken the Spaniard in terms of serve speed—an issue that Nadal also struggled with throughout his illustrious career.
Beyond the serve, Roddick also questioned Alcaraz’s overall game. He described him as neither a powerful server nor someone capable of causing significant discomfort through variations in height, speed, and spin. While Alcaraz can effectively serve with spin from the advantage side, Roddick believes that he struggles to truly trouble the receiver and put them under pressure.
Roddick’s criticism holds weight, considering his own impressive career records. He held the title for the fastest serve on tour for an impressive eight years, reaching a staggering 245 kilometers per hour during a Davis Cup match. Moreover, Roddick sits among the top five players in history with over 9,000 aces throughout his illustrious career.
Interestingly, the second fastest serve in tennis history was performed by Alejandro Davidovich, currently ranked 24th, who hit a blazing 252 kilometers per hour at the Rome Masters 1000—an exceptional achievement on clay, a surface that typically does not favor high ace counts.
The statistics seem to support Roddick’s claim that Alcaraz’s serve is not a standout feature. Since joining the ATP circuit, the Spanish young gun has achieved a modest 83% of games and 66% of points won with his serve. His success rate with his first serve hovers around 65%, indicating room for improvement in this crucial aspect of his game.
Despite Roddick’s critique, Alcaraz, only 20 years old, can already boast more Grand Slam titles than the American tennis legend achieved throughout his entire career. Alcaraz clinched titles at both Wimbledon and the US Open, a remarkable feat in itself. However, he remains aware that improving his serve will make him a more complete and formidable player. For now, though, Alcaraz’s achievements speak for themselves, and he continues to excel on the world stage.