Hey Tennis Freaks,
Watching Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic in the Australian Open final stuck with me for one simple reason.
He didn’t win by upgrading anything.
No new racquet.
No technical overhaul.
No trying to hit through Novak.
What changed after the first set was how he thought about the match.
It was clear Novak was red-lining early. Big serve. Flat forehand. Taking time away whenever he could. When that style is clicking, it’s suffocating.
Instead of matching pace with pace, Alcaraz made a tactical decision.
He added more shape and air to the ball to buy time. He stepped back on returns so he could take a bigger cut with margin. And he committed to the simplest tactic in tennis:
Make your opponent hit one more ball.
Over time, the errors came. The legs got heavier. The rallies got longer. The pressure quietly flipped sides.
Not because Alcaraz hit harder.
But because he stayed disciplined longer.
The Shift I’m Making in My Own Game
That match forced me to look at my own habits.
When points get tight, I tend to:
force offense too early
try to take time away when I’m not balanced
confuse aggression with good decision-making
Those aren’t technical problems.
They’re tactical ones.
So lately, both in practice and matches, I’m changing what I focus on.
Instead of asking, “Can I end this point?”
I’m asking:
Do I need to buy time here or take it away?
Is height the better choice than pace?
Can I make this rally uncomfortable before I go for more?
Consistency isn’t passive.
It’s intentional.
What I’m Working On Right Now
Here’s what that looks like on court:
Using shape and height when I’m under pressure
Taking time away only when I’m set and balanced
Buying time when I’m stretched instead of forcing
Making my opponent move before I try to finish
When you trust your legs and your fitness, the court feels bigger.
And the game slows down.
Whether you’re a junior chasing the next level or a club player trying to win tighter matches, this has been a powerful reminder for me:
You don’t need a new racquet, a different string setup, or better strokes.
You need better decisions.
That’s where matches are actually won.
See you on the court,
Cade (& Chris)
Latest Video On The Channel
Thank you to our sponsor who keeps this newsletter free to the reader:
Premier racquet stringers, official stringers at the National Bank Open. Your go-to online tennis store for top gear in tennis, badminton, table tennis, squash, and pickleball. Use "MPTENNIS10" for 10% off.
🎾 Our Favorite Tennis Strings
ReString VIVO
Discover how this recycled polyester string delivers both crisp power and incredible feel. Dive in to see exactly how I'm stringing my racquet now for maximum performance! Use our code "MPTENNIS10" to get 10% off.
ReString Zero
After a long wait, I finally got my hands on it...and I was pleasantly surprised! I can't wait to share more with you guys about this amazing power and control string in my review. Use our code "MPTENNIS10" to get 10% off.
Toroline Super Toro & Caviar
Elevate your game with Toroline. These strings offer a perfect balance of power and precision, giving you the control you need to dominate the court. Use our code "MPTENNIS" to get 20% off.
