By Richard Pagliaro Sunday, March 8, 2026
Photo credit: Phil Walter/Getty
Indian Wells—Alexander Zverev push Carlos Alcaraz He was on the verge of collapse in a gripping Australian Open semi-final.
Three-time Grand Slam finalist Zverev has met Alcaraz and No.2 Jannik Sinner Mainly dominant in combing, winning nine consecutive Grand Slam titles.
Zverev, ranked fourth in the world, believes that the top two players in the world are able to dominate the sport for a simple reason: excellent hitting ability.
Answer from Chris Oddo, Tennis NowZverev said that success in today’s tennis lies not in tactics but in hitting skills.
“I think the players who win the most are the ones with the best shots,” Zverev said after his 7-6, 5-7, 7-6 victory over American Brandon Nakajima in Indian Wells today. “I think players who win championships
Mostly now, especially now, because tennis is now just a strong sport, there are the best forehands, there are the best backhands, there are the best serves, there are the best returns. I think these are the guys that have won the most over the past few years.
“I think Carlos Alcaraz and Yannick Sinner won ‘the most’ not because they played tennis with a lot of tactics, it was just that they hit the ball better than everyone else.”
World No. 1 Alcaraz displayed superior instincts and survival skills against Zverev in Melbourne.
The 22-year-old Spaniard overcame apparent cramps during the match, which saw him vomit on the towel twice, fight back from 3-5 down in the deciding set and hold off his opponent in four straight games Zverev Won the Melbourne Marathon semi-final 6-4, 7-6(5), 6-7(3), 6-7(4), 7-5.
Zverev said that because today’s tennis is primarily a baseline game and players don’t have to adapt to different styles, including serve-and-volley players like his brother Mischa Zverev, tactics are not as important as groundstrokes, power and groundstrokes.
Although you could argue that Alcaraz’s changes – his net skills, drop shots, finesse and penchant for unpredictability – are also a major reason for his success.
“I think tactics and, you know, tennis IQ, as you said, were more important ten years ago than they are now,” Zverev said. “I think it’s lost a little bit of its value. I think, yeah, whoever hits the ball the best is going to win the most games.”
