Coach Analyzes Hubert Hurkacz’s Tactics for Facing Carlos Alcaraz: A Battle of Elite Tennis Players

It is the star match of the day in Toronto and a new opportunity for Hubert Hurkacz to claim his place among the elite. It will not be easy at all, yes: facing the world number one, a Carlos Alcaraz who has not lost since Roland Garros, is a monstrous task. But Craig Boynton, the Pole’s coach, believes in it.

It will be the mind behind the strategy of Hubert Hurkaczthe man in charge of assisting his pupil in his attempt to surprise the best in the world. Craig Boynton, the Pole’s coach since his arrival on the professional circuit, is already preparing various tactics that can make a dent in the Murcian’s armor. The daunting task of knocking down Carlos Alcaraz It happens to understand that this is not a common match: Hubi will need to give his best level and surprise the Spaniard, revealing some tricks kept in the hat that will leave the public with their mouths open. In a very interesting chat with the ATP, Boynton analyzed the duel from a tactical point of view and showed hope for what Hurkacz can do tonight.

How different is it to prepare a match against someone like Alcaraz?

“There are some players against whom the preparation has to be different. Take Novak, for example: Hubi has faced him six or seven times and has never beaten him. With someone like him, you have to sit down and think about what you have to do. change something. You have to get out of your comfort zone, in a way, to have a real impact. He has been close to beating several cracks, but he has not been able to take the last step. There are people with whom you think that there is things you can’t trade: your serve is going to come back a few times and you’re going to find yourself with exchanges in neutral position.There you focus on that you want to put the ball on this part of the court, with the amount of speed and topspin you need, to take control. And if the opponent can’t neutralize Hubi’s weapons, then it’s about maintaining emotional control. The more the match progresses, the better it is for Hubi, because he has weapons that can’t be neutralized. But of course, these guys neutralize almost everything, so you have to be one step ahead. “

Hurkacz’s plan

“Hubi has an unbelievably good serve. When that serve is working, it’s possible for him to hold serve against just about anyone. I know when planning a match against big servers, when you’re returning you wait for there to be a game, an opportunity, where things don’t go well with the first serve. That’s where patterns and tactics come into play, everything evens out and that’s when you have to be really sharp”.

What makes Alcaraz different from the rest?

“His arsenal is based on the fact that his average ball speed is certainly higher than anyone’s, plus he has magnificent mobility. Not only does he move very well, he is able to anticipate the play. His vision of the game is truly incredible “Sometimes I joke that he already knows where you are going to hit the ball before you decide where you are going to hit the ball. He has no weaknesses as such, there is nothing that goes down in his tennis. He competes like a charm. To be top 20, you have to be exceptional at something, and he seems to be exceptional at everything.”

There is a precedent between the two, in which Alcaraz defeated Hurkacz in Miami in two hard-fought sets (7-6(5), 7-6(2)). What do you remember from that game?

“Hubi was ahead in both tiebreaks and could have won by a double 7-6 perfectly. I don’t know if there are many people who remember this. As of today, Carlos is better and Hubi too. Carlos has developed different gaits, in addition to better and more accurate tools to win, while already having a better understanding of the sport. Hubi is able to neutralize some big punchers with his athleticism and speed. Mind you, you don’t want this to be your constant pattern, because the best ones will know how to adjust and adapt to this”.

How do you approach a game like this?

“I like to look at the head-to-heads preview. Also, I look at what they’ve done recently and I try to look at a player who beat him, to see what they did and see if they have weapons similar to what Hubi has. I like to review the matches and understand why someone has won. I also like to analyze what happened when they lost. Professional tennis is very much based on the matchups“.

2023-08-10 14:43:42
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