Carlos Alcaraz's forehand
Traced frame by frame from real footage.
Alcaraz's forehand is fast and very heavy: in 2024 it averaged 78 mph and 3,208 rpm against a 2,708 rpm tour average, second on tour by shot quality. The preparation starts early and stays short, the arm is extended well before contact, and he uses it as his third shot most of the time.
- 1Seen from behind the right shoulder, the shoulders turn early with the other hand on the throat and the racquet up.
- 2The coil is full, with the free arm stretched across toward the ball, before the racquet head drops below the hip.
- 3Contact comes with the arm extended out to the side, then the racquet wraps right around the neck as he comes off the ground.
Our own observations from the traced frames. Flip through the plate above to check them.
By the numbers
2024: topspin forehand 78 mph against a 75 mph average, 3,208 rpm against 2,708, and forehand shot quality 8.62, second on tour behind Sinner.
ATP / Tennis Data Innovations, 2024 insightsOver three years to October 2024 he held three of the top six forehand-spin spots in the top 10, with 3,177 rpm on outdoor hard courts.
Craig O'Shannessy, ATP Beyond the Numbers, Oct 2024Technique: an early, short, simple preparation that starts before the bounce, the arm extended well before contact, and the wrist loosening before contact for spin.
Patrick Mouratoglou, via Tennis.com, Jul 2022In 2023 he used a forehand as his third shot 79 % of the time, against 64 % for Djokovic and 69 % for Sinner.
Simon Rea (Tennis Australia), The Age, Dec 2023
2025 Roland-Garros final
Serving at 3–5, 0–40 in the fourth set against Sinner, he saved the first championship point by winning a cross-court forehand exchange until Sinner's forehand on the run went long. He saved two more and won in five sets.
Match Charting Project; ATPWhat you can copy
Start early and keep it short: the turn and backswing begin before the ball bounces, so you're never late. That part is copyable. The wrist drop and straight arm aren't offered as club advice.
Patrick Mouratoglou, via Tennis.com
What we don't claim
- His grip is disputed: Yandell puts it between Federer's and Nadal's, one analyst calls it western, coaching blogs say semi-western. We say semi-western to western.