Australian Open 2024: Carlos Alcaraz’s forehand is the GOAT, says Mats Wilander - ‘It’s better than Novak Djokovic’

ByBen Southby

Published 22/01/2024 at 12:51 GMT

Mats Wilander believes Carlos Alcaraz has the greatest forehand of all time, while fellow Eurosport expert Tim Henman called it the “most devastating shot” in tennis. Alcaraz utilised his powerful forehand in another straight-sets win to move into the Australian Open quarter-finals. “In terms of technique, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better forehand,” Wilander told the Eurosport Cube.

Mats Wilander has branded Carlos Alcaraz’s forehand as the greatest of all time and believes it is better than those possessed by the likes of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz flew through another test at the Australian Open and beat Miomir Kecmanovic to reach the quarter-finals.

The 20-year-old won in straight sets to earn a last-eight tie against sixth seed Alexander Zverev, who narrowly overcame Cameron Norrie.

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Following Alcaraz’s victory, Eurosport expert Wilander was in awe of what he believes is the Wimbledon champion's strongest trait.

“He’s so quick around the court and so aggressive,” Wilander told the Eurosport Cube, reflecting on Alcaraz’s performance.

“The difference between him [and Kecmanovic] is that they’re both trying to hit forehands.

“He’s got so many options: he can go inside out, inside in, drop shot - both ways as well. And he can loop it up the way Rafa Nadal can. You’ve got to stay away from his forehand or you’re going to have a very long day.

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“It’s not easy for me to analyse something that I don’t understand. Alcaraz’s forehand placement is highly unusual.

“He went 63% of the time into Kecmanovic’s forehand. That’s usually the strength of most tennis players and only 25% to the backhand.

“He hits the ball so hard that no one expects this kind of tennis because no one else does it, really. Djokovic is going there sometimes, but winners there are unheard of because you can stretch out and defend there much better than the backhand [wing].

“The acceleration is incredible. In terms of technique, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better forehand. It’s not the big, loopy Rafa, it’s better than Djokovic.”

After dominating the first two sets against Kecmanovic, Alcaraz finished off with a bagel as he cemented his place in his first Australian Open quarter-final with authority.

The Spaniard believes he put in a performance where he “did almost everything perfectly”.

'I did almost everything perfectly' - Alcaraz 'proud' of his performance

Tim Henman agreed and praised Alcaraz for his game management.

“He’s got so many options,” he said. “When plan A is not working for a player, what is plan B? At times, they’ve just got to do plan A better than they have been, but with Alcaraz, you see so many different options.

“He’s so comfortable with his speed and movement at the back of the court, but in the forecourt, he’s got great technique at the net and he’s got a great feel.

“He really does look like he’s putting on a show out there. He’s enjoying himself so much, and in those three sets, [he hit] 43 winners and only 19 unforced errors. Fantastic performance.”

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Henman also picked apart Alcaraz’s forehand and labelled it as one of the most “devastating shots” in tennis.

“[His forehand] is a difficult shot but he makes it look so simple because he keeps his upper body so still, but the racquet head acceleration through the forehand is unbelievable.

“With that racquet head speed, sometimes he comes in and hits it flat going for the big winner, and other times when he wants to stay in the rally he comes up the back of the ball and gives it more air over the net.

“Then he’s got the drop shot where he just comes underneath it. He’s got the limitless options. It’s one of the most devastating shots in the game right now.”

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