Carlos Alcaraz makes hard courts look elastic. On television you notice the fireworks, but in person you see the footwork. He is always spring loaded, always on balance, and always ready to turn a neutral ball into an ambush. The forehand is the headliner. He takes it early, lifts through the outside of the ball, and can flatten it down the line without a huge backswing. When he gets his feet inside the baseline, it feels like the court shrinks for the other guy.
Two patterns show up a lot in New York. First, the deep backhand cross to pin an opponent, then the quick change down the line. That line change is not just a winner attempt. It steals time and opens the forehand court on the next ball. Second, the drop shot threat. After he pushes you back, he shows the same setup, then feathers the drop. If you sprint and get there, the reply often floats, and he is waiting to flip a lob or knife a pass. Even when the drop does not finish the point, it sets a hook. You begin to guard the short court, which gives his big forehand more air and angle.
Serve and return are more mature than his age suggests. He varies locations, hits body serves to jam taller players, and sneaks in serve and volley to reset bad patches. On return he starts a step deeper on heavier servers, then creeps forward on second serves to take early contact and send a flat, low reply at the server’s feet. New York nights add a little humidity, which helps his defense. Balls sit up a hair longer, and his counterpunching gets extra mileage.
If you want to watch like a coach, track three things. One, where his first step goes after contact. He steals court with his feet, not just his strokes. Two, forehand height. Waist high is launch mode. Above the shoulder and outside the strike zone, he becomes more human. Three, the score. At 15–30 or deuce he trusts high percentage patterns: forehand into the open court, backhand line change when he has time, and body serve on the ad side.
How do you slow him down? Keep him from living inside the baseline. Heavy crosscourt to his backhand can work if you change height and spin, then attack the first short ball before he resets. Body serves reduce his full swing on the return. Above all, do not feed half-court forehands. If you miss short, you will be on a string.
Alcaraz wins in New York because he embraces the energy and manages the chaos. He plays with joy, but it is structured joy. The showmanship has a purpose, and the crowd can feel it. That is why even routine points feel like momentum swings when he is involved.