Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs, has sparked a debate about Carlos Alcaraz’s serve. While Alcaraz, currently ranked second in the world, is known for his dynamic baseline game, his first serve remains a point of concern.

Statistics reveal a gap between Alcaraz and his top-ranked peers. He wins only 72.7% of his first-serve points, falling short compared to other players in the top 10. This prompted Stubbs, a former doubles No. 1, to discuss Alcaraz’s serving weaknesses on a recent podcast.

Stubbs used Roger Federer, known for his pinpoint serving accuracy, as a benchmark. Despite similar heights, Federer consistently served much closer to the lines, maximizing pressure on his opponents.

“Carlos’ spots are nowhere near as good,” Stubbs stated, highlighting the Spaniard’s inconsistency in hitting his targets. She emphasized the need for Alcaraz to refine his serve placement, particularly against elite returners like Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev.

Stubbs recommends a back-to-basics approach. She suggests Alcaraz practice hitting serves consistently close to the lines, emulating a drill commonly used by professional players. This refined placement would make returning the serve more challenging for his opponents.

While acknowledging Alcaraz’s impressive serving performance in last year’s Wimbledon final win against Djokovic, Stubbs believes there’s room for improvement. She noted that while his overall serve statistics during the tournament were typical, his clutch performance in the fifth set, winning 74% of first-serve points, showcased his potential.

In conclusion, Stubbs’ analysis raises questions about Alcaraz’s serving consistency. While his baseline skills are undeniable, refining his first serve could be a game-changer, particularly on faster courts. Whether Alcaraz heeds this advice and elevates his serve to Federer-like precision remains to be seen.