Alcaraz's baseline barrage, sizzling passing shots left no safe space for Djokovic to work

It was baseline carnage.

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Novak Djokovic 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4) in the Wimbledon singles final on Sunday by completely dominating the Serbian from the back of the court for the second year in a row.

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Djokovic came into Sunday’s final winning a respectable 50% (242/484) of his baseline points. That number got crushed down to 41 per cent (33/81) against Alcaraz. In the opening two sets, Djokovic only won 39 per cent (17/44) from the back of the court. On the other side of the net, Alcaraz was flying with his groundstrokes, winning a staggering 58 per cent (33/57).

Alcaraz Baseline Points Won

Set 1 = 54% (19/35) Set 2 = 63% (14/22) Set 3 = 51% (27/53)

 

Djokovic Baseline Points Won

Set 1 = 46% (13/28) Set 2 = 25% (4/16) Set 3 = 43% (16/37)

Alcaraz never dropped below 50 percent in any set with baseline points won, while Djokovic never reached 50 per cent in any set. The second set statistics were simply stunning. Alcaraz was putting up jaw-dropping numbers, winning 63 per cent, while Djokovic countered with only 25 per cent baseline points won. It was one-way traffic to back-to-back titles. The longest rally of the match was just 13 shots, and only nine rallies reached nine shots. Alcaraz won eight of them.

Where did it all go wrong for Djokovic from the back of the court? It was actually both wings that underperformed under the intense pressure from Alcaraz.

Forehand Performance

Alcaraz: 21 winners / 33 errors = -12 Djokovic: 6 winners / 31 errors = -25

Backhand Performance

Alcaraz: 10 winners / 21 errors = -11 Djokovic: 3 winners / 25 errors = -22

As you can see from the numbers above, Djokovic’s errors flowed freely from his forehand and backhand.

Djokovic’s forehand return was another hot spot that Alcaraz attacked. Alcaraz put 79 per cent (38/48) of forehand returns back in play, while Djokovic struggled mightily, only putting 64 per cent (23/46).

Both players put 83 per cent of their backhand returns in the court. Overall, Alcaraz put 74 per cent (72/97) back in play, while Djokovic was at 70 per cent (62/89). These are the kind of statistics that Djokovic dominates against all opponents, especially on the biggest stage in our sport.

Djokovic cleverly turned his attention to the front of the court to try to turn the match around, but Alcaraz did a magnificent job of passing Djokovic when he came in, particularly off the forehand side.

Net Points Won

Alcaraz = 73% (16/22) Djokovic = 51% (27/53)

Coming into the final, Djokovic was enjoying venturing forward to the net in his five matches, winning a dominant 78 per cent (143/184) at net. In the final against Alcaraz, he only managed to win 51 per cent (27/53).

Djokovic simply couldn't create any momentum in the match. Alcaraz trailed 0/15 in five of his service games but rallied to hold all five times. Djokovic trailed 0/15 in six service games, but could only capture two. The writing was on the wall from the opening game of the match for the 24-time major winner. Djokovic served first, and the opening service game of the match lasted 20 points. Alcaraz broke him on his fifth break point. Djokovic never felt the luxury of playing from ahead, as he also lost his serve in the opening service game of the second set.

All credit goes to Alcaraz for taking away Djokovic’s baseline strengths and turning the scoreboard into another formidable opponent.

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