Mon Jun 30 12:40:00 UTC 2025: ## News Article: Alcaraz’s Grass Court Mastery: It’s All in Those Two Seconds

**Wimbledon, England** – Carlos Alcaraz isn’t just winning on grass, he’s redefining it. The reigning French Open champion and two-time Wimbledon titlist is demonstrating a unique dominance on the surface, and it’s not just about booming serves or powerful groundstrokes. The secret to his grass court prowess, according to experts, lies in a fleeting two-second window: the time it takes for his signature slice shot to arc across the net, turning defense into a deadly offensive opportunity.

Alcaraz’s ability to anticipate his opponent’s moves and use his lightning-fast footwork allows him to exploit the unique characteristics of grass. This allows him to transition from defense to offense with unparalleled speed. When pinned in his backhand corner, his slice, described as a curving masterpiece, buys him the crucial seconds he needs to move forward and put his opponent on the defensive.

“On the grass, once you’re on defense with him, it’s pretty difficult to get out of that defensive position,” says Tommy Paul, the No. 13 seed at Wimbledon. “He’s so aggressive and closes the net so well.”

This isn’t the typical serve-and-volley dominance seen from past Wimbledon champions. While his serve has improved significantly, particularly showcased during his recent Queen’s Club victory, Alcaraz’s success comes from his exceptional movement, touch, and ability to capitalize on the small margins that grass offers.

Coach Paul Annacone, who has worked with both Roger Federer and Pete Sampras, sees a unique combination in Alcaraz’s game. “The best person on grass right now is Alcaraz, because he is this combination of Roger and Andre [Agassi],” Annacone said. “He can take it early and be on top of the net before you blink.”

Statistics bear out Alcaraz’s dominance. During his Queen’s Club run, he won 37% of points when his opponent was on the attack, significantly higher than the tournament average. At Wimbledon last year, he turned nearly 40% of defensive points into scoring opportunities against Novak Djokovic in the final.

While Alcaraz admits clay is his favorite surface, his ability to “steal” points and his aggressive net play make him a formidable force on grass. As he prepares for Wimbledon 2024, the question isn’t if Alcaraz will make a deep run, but how anyone can stop him from claiming his third consecutive title.

Read More