Alcatraz feels he needs to get acquainted with himself

[Pelle Svanslös]

“Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I don’t
understand why,” admitted a serious-looking Alcaraz in Spanish as he sat
before the media in the US Open press conference room. “I’ve had a
spectacular summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left those
tournaments saying that I’d taken a step forward mentally. I’d realised
that to win big things, to win Grand Slam titles, you have to be
mentally strong.

“Now I’ve reached this swing and I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m
not doing well mentally, I’m not strong. I don’t know how to control
myself when faced with problems and I don’t know how to handle it. I
have to see exactly what happened, or what’s going on with me.

“It’s been a very emotional summer, very demanding... I’ve had my
moments of disconnection, but I think I’m still learning about myself.
Maybe, as a person, I need more time. I have to get to know myself, what
I need. Maybe I’m the kind of person who, with a calendar like that,
demands too much of himself mentally. I have to see exactly what’s going
on.”

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-us-open-2024-r2-reaction-spanish

I think that's a good idea.

[TT]

Post by Pelle Svanslös
“Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I don’t
understand why,”

I think I know why...

People were asking him questions if he will be as great as Big3 or
perhaps will become the GOAT... and he took that and his chances
seriously. You don't do that at 4 titles, unless you're like Edwin Moses
or Jahangir Khan... head and shoulders above everyone else which he is not.

Even Rafa on clay was always modest & humble. At least outwards.

Alkie is now feeling the extra pressure of (his own) expectations.

[Whisper]

Post by TT

Post by Pelle Svanslös
“Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I
don’t understand why,”

I think I know why...
People were asking him questions if he will be as great as Big3 or
perhaps will become the GOAT... and he took that and his chances
seriously. You don't do that at 4 titles, unless you're like Edwin Moses
or Jahangir Khan... head and shoulders above everyone else which he is not.
Even Rafa on clay was always modest & humble. At least outwards.
Alkie is now feeling the extra pressure of (his own) expectations.

Yes, plus he's burnt out emotionally. 1st FO title, defended Wimbledon
crown and unexpectedly lost Olympic final. These are massive
achievements under intense pressure over just a few weeks.

[Pelle Svanslös]

Post by TT
Even Rafa on clay was always modest & humble.

Except when he wasn't. That's practically every presser after a loss.

Post by TT
Alkie is now feeling the extra pressure of (his own) expectations.

Yes, plus he's burnt out emotionally.  1st FO title, defended Wimbledon
crown and unexpectedly lost Olympic final.  These are massive
achievements under intense pressure over just a few weeks.

He's been with us for almost a decade now. It's easy to forget he's only
21. Far from the mature, metusalem Alcatraz he will one day be. The
impetuousness he displays is still to be expected. I think he overplays
his mental fragility. It's probably hip to be depressed these days.

Saw only the highlights, but Zandschulp played a wily game. Junk, pace,
slice, consistency ... One point I liked in the 1st set. Alcatraz banged
a good FH deep into Z's FH corner. Al expected to get a weak reply, and
hoping for the best but not preparing for the worst moved a meter inside
way before seeing what actually was coming back. Then found himself in
no-man's land when Z did not panic and just bunted the ball back
midpaced but deep. Smartski. Alcatraz couldn't make anything out of that
and lost the point. Alcatraz still has baby fat in his game.

[jdeluise]

Post by Pelle Svanslös
“Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and
I
don’t understand why,” admitted a serious-looking Alcaraz in
Spanish
as he sat before the media in the US Open press conference
room. “I’ve
had a spectacular summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left
those
tournaments saying that I’d taken a step forward mentally. I’d
realised that to win big things, to win Grand Slam titles, you
have to
be mentally strong.
“Now I’ve reached this swing and I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m
not doing well mentally, I’m not strong. I don’t know how to control
myself when faced with problems and I don’t know how to handle it. I
have to see exactly what happened, or what’s going on with me.
“It’s been a very emotional summer, very demanding... I’ve had my
moments of disconnection, but I think I’m still learning about
myself. Maybe, as a person, I need more time. I have to get to
know
myself, what I need. Maybe I’m the kind of person who, with a
calendar
like that, demands too much of himself mentally. I have to see
exactly
what’s going on.”
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-us-open-2024-r2-reaction-spanish
I think that's a good idea.

He may be cycling down from some of Sinner's meds?

[Whisper]

Post by jdeluise

Post by Pelle Svanslös
“Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I
don’t understand why,” admitted a serious-looking Alcaraz in Spanish
as he sat before the media in the US Open press conference room. “I’ve
had a spectacular summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left those
tournaments saying that I’d taken a step forward mentally. I’d
realised that to win big things, to win Grand Slam titles, you have to
be mentally strong.
“Now I’ve reached this swing and I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m
not doing well mentally, I’m not strong. I don’t know how to control
myself when faced with problems and I don’t know how to handle it. I
have to see exactly what happened, or what’s going on with me.
“It’s been a very emotional summer, very demanding... I’ve had my
moments of disconnection, but I think I’m still learning about
myself. Maybe, as a person, I need more time. I have to get to know
myself, what I need. Maybe I’m the kind of person who, with a calendar
like that, demands too much of himself mentally. I have to see exactly
what’s going on.”
https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-us-open-2024-r2-reaction-spanish
I think that's a good idea.

He may be cycling down from some of Sinner's meds?

Yep, levels are down to billionths of a gram in cycle down mode so can
use that as an excuse.

[PeteWasLucky]

“Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I don’t understand why,” admitted a serious-looking Alcaraz in Spanish as he sat before the media in the US Open press conference room. “I’ve had a spectacular summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left those tournaments saying that I’d taken a step forward mentally. I’d realised that to win big things, to win Grand Slam titles, you have to be mentally strong.“Now I’ve reached this swing and I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m not doing well mentally, I’m not strong. I don’t know how to control myself when faced with problems and I don’t know how to handle it. I have to see exactly what happened, or what’s going on with me.“It’s been a very emotional summer, very demanding... I’ve had my moments of disconnection, but I think I’m still learning about myself. Maybe, as a person, I need more time. I have to get to know myself, what I need. Maybe I’m the kind of person who, with a calendar like that, demands too much of himself mentally. I have to see exactly what’s going on.”https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-us-open-2024-r2-reaction-spanishI think that's a good idea.-- "And off they went, from here to there,The bear, the bear, and the maiden fair"-- Traditional

It's not mental, it's technical and maturity.

He plays a very risky and aggressive game that can miss or hit.

He was down two sets to one in Wimbledon against Tiafeo and played
TB in the fourth.
He was down two sets to one against Zverev and Sinner in the FO.

He doesn't know what tightening his game means.

He gets lost when he feels he is playing against a wall kind of player.

[TT]

Post by PeteWasLucky

“Right now, I feel like I’ve taken steps backwards mentally and I don’t understand why,” admitted a serious-looking Alcaraz in Spanish as he sat before the media in the US Open press conference room. “I’ve had a spectacular summer at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I left those tournaments saying that I’d taken a step forward mentally. I’d realised that to win big things, to win Grand Slam titles, you have to be mentally strong.“Now I’ve reached this swing and I’ve taken steps backwards, like I’m not doing well mentally, I’m not strong. I don’t know how to control myself when faced with problems and I don’t know how to handle it. I have to see exactly what happened, or what’s going on with me.“It’s been a very emotional summer, very demanding... I’ve had my moments of disconnection, but I think I’m still learning about myself. Maybe, as a person, I need more time. I have to get to know myself, what I need. Maybe I’m the kind of person who, with a calendar like that, demands too much of himself mentally. I have to see exactly what’s going on.”https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-us-open-2024-r2-reaction-spanishI think that's a good idea.-- "And off they went, from here to there,The bear, the bear, and the maiden fair"-- Traditional

It's not mental, it's technical and maturity.
He plays a very risky and aggressive game that can miss or hit.
He was down two sets to one in Wimbledon against Tiafeo and played
TB in the fourth.
He was down two sets to one against Zverev and Sinner in the FO.

Good point.
I watched him at RG and thought that he's nowhere close to Rafa's level
on clay.

Maybe he's to grass what Rafa is on clay. Or at least Roger. Both are
kinda natural grass courters. His serve is awesome, too... probably a
good for clay as well with all the action & kick he gets to it.

Post by PeteWasLucky
He doesn't know what tightening his game means.

Maybe he does. Well, or perhaps I'm talking about different thing, him
raising his level at crunch time as he did in the matches you mentioned
above.

Post by PeteWasLucky
He gets lost when he feels he is playing against a wall kind of player.

I think his backhand is a bit samprasy, mostly a rallying shot which
doesn't do all that much most of the time. Furthermore, his greatest
overall strengths are his movement, variety & serve. Forehand is
fearsome cannon as well, but perhaps also risky.

Too bad that he lost this early. He's like a box of chocolates...

Hard to say from highlights what went wrong... full of good things:

I take your word that he made just too many errors. Also, couple rallies
on the highlights suggest he may have been junkballing short stuff from
too far back. Smiling too much when getting his butt kicked. Botic is
also a very good player, it's not the first time he's shined against top
players.

Interview...

'He didn't make many mistakes, less than I thought he would. I couldn't
raise my level'...

'I was playing against myself, my mind... a lot of emotion that I
couldn'

[PeteWasLucky]

Yes all of this. Regarding tightening his game, his style of tight game works on clay because he simply chooses to depend on his athletic gifts and avoid risky shots and the opponent is limited to what they can do as well on clay but on HC if you don't take the initiative your opponent will take it and the fast surface beats anyone's speed.
He needs to study his opponents and be able to target their weaknesses.

I hate to say this really, but at this stage in his career he needs a strategic coach. He can keep his God father :)
But having someone that worked with other greats like Paul Annacone should open his mind to lots of things he would never know with his current arrangement.
I think Paul Annacone will accept if he gets asked.