Alcaraz Dazzles with Dominant Serve to Capture US Open Title

Mumbai: Carlos Alcaraz highlighted a challenging aspect of tennis following his remarkable performance in a Grand Slam final. The sport’s relentless calendar often makes it difficult to fully appreciate such achievements. “To realise that I won the tournament, to enjoy,” Alcaraz shared.

Alcaraz is taking a moment to reflect. “To see the trophy, to see what you’ve done in the tournament, to appreciate that,” he stated.

Reflecting on his victory over Jannik Sinner, with scores of 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, Alcaraz showcased an impressive variety of skills: a blend of slice and drop forehand winner, serve and volley, delicate drop shot, and a low backhand half-volley. This opening brilliance left Sinner struggling to mount a comeback.

In addition, Alcaraz’s precision was evident with only two unforced errors in both the first and third sets, highlighting his clever gameplay.

However, the standout feature of Alcaraz’s performance in New York was undoubtedly his serve. During his title run, Alcaraz faced just 10 break points, the lowest by any player in a Slam, losing only 3 of 101 service games across seven matches, second only to Pete Sampras since 1991. By contrast, he dropped 22 service games during his 2022 US Open win. “I think the serve was one of the keys to win the tournament, for sure,” remarked his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero.

The improved serve played a crucial role in reclaiming not only the US Open crown but also the world No.1 ranking. It enabled Alcaraz to become just the second-youngest man to secure six Grand Slam titles after Bjorn Borg, and it placed him among elite company including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Mats Wilander as winners of multiple singles titles on all surfaces.

As Alcaraz sealed the final victory with an unreturnable serve, his progress over the past three years was evident. From winning 85.24% of his service games in 2023, his numbers rose to 85.47% in 2024 and an impressive 87.61% in 2025. Similarly, his first serve win percentage improved from 72.33% in 2023 to 73.00% in 2024, reaching 74.28% in 2025.

Despite his complete game, serving wasn’t always considered a strong suit for Alcaraz. Last off-season, his team adjusted his service technique, enhancing wrist movement and fluidity, which significantly impacted his performance.

By the US Open, these adjustments had taken effect. Alcaraz went from being outside the top 20 in first serve win percentage leaders at the Australian Open to finishing second at the US Open with 84%, just behind Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. Alcaraz also led the second serve points won category with 63%.

“We knew we needed time to see results on the court,” noted Ferrero, “The US Open showcased his serve’s development and utility, particularly in crucial moments, during both Cincinnati and the US Open.”

This strong serving was pivotal in Alcaraz’s rivalry with Sinner, as they have shared the four major titles between them over two seasons. At Wimbledon, Sinner outperformed Alcaraz on the first serve but couldn’t match his baseline game.

For the US Open final, Alcaraz outclassed Sinner by securing 61% of his first serves compared to Sinner’s 48% and winning 83% of those points compared to Sinner’s 69%. The Spaniard won three points on serve in the first set and only one point on his first serve in the third set.

Prior to their clash, Sinner recognized Alcaraz’s marked improvement in serving, a skill he would soon face again. “He performed slightly better today, especially with his serving,” Sinner acknowledged, “His swings were precise on both sides.”

Alcaraz’s immaculate serving, coupled with outstanding returns and an all-encompassing game, made his US Open triumph unforgettable. “The consistency of my level throughout the tournament was incredibly high,” Alcaraz said, reflecting on what he considered the best tournament, final, and serving performance of his career.