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Former tennis player Jimmy Connors feels that Carlos Alcaraz could become extremely hard to beat if he comes to terms with old-school attitude and the present-day hard-hitting game.
Alcaraz has been in excellent form since his return from injury. The Spaniard has bagged two titles in the three tournaments he has played so far this season. After his latest win in the second round of the Miami Open, Alcaraz's win-loss record of 2023 stands at 15-1.
With Alcaraz already posing a major threat to every other player on tour, Connors believes that the 19-year-old will be even tougher to beat if he combines his traditional tenacious attitude with the hard-hitting approach of modern-day tennis.
"If you [Alcaraz] can get that hybrid feeling of understanding the value of that and the old school attitude with the modern day hardhitting game...boy, that's gonna be tough to beat," he said during the 'Advantage Connors' podcast.
Connors, a former World No. 1, also maintained that Alcaraz should not be discouraged whenever his drop shots and slices fail to maximize, urging him to stick to his strengths and continue putting pressure on his opponents.
"He has the value of hitting a slice. The shorter angles and mixing in a drop shot. Then, that not getting discouraged... if they come to the net, you get past. But that you still continue on and understand maybe well you won that one... but how many times is he gonna win that? So, just keep putting the pressure on them," he opined.
Carlos Alcaraz has got court sense: Jimmy Connors
Jimmy Connors has showered praise on Carlos Alcaraz for his ability to sense the positioning of his opponent and play return shots utilizing the full length of the court.
Connors claimed that most players can effectively move horizontally across the baseline, but find it rather difficult to move forwards and backwards. He observed that Alcaraz exploits that limitation to get the better of his opponents.
"He's got court sense, because he senses his opponent so far back. 99% of everybody moves well horizontally across the baseline. But, moving forward is different and especially the extra 5 or 6 steps when you're back so deep, you're just putting that extra strain on your body and he [Alcaraz] understands that. So, hey keep it going," Connors stated.
After his second-round win over Facundo Bagnis on Friday, Carlos Alcaraz will next face Dusan Lajovic at the Miami Open.
