Love hearing your immediate raw thoughts on the match! Pls keep doing this - very insightful. All I was thinking during the match was why Carlos hit more often to Sasha’s BH than FH. But in the end it all worked out 😊
If there us indeed another timeline, I would love to know what would have happened if Alcaraz's double fault in the 5th set was called.... Maybe he still wins, maybe he doesn't. Would have wanted to see the outcome of that match. By the way, amazing commentary and analysis Andy. You're the best at this.
Having been in their trenches, I understand why you give the players a lot more latitude for errors when you say they aren't necessarily unforced. When you get the shot you want to hit (the whole reason for point construction) and you miss it badly, it's unforced. Straight up. These guys did that a lot, and just took turns choking (everyone does). The weight of the moment was getting to them. Alcaraz completely collapsed mentally serving for the 3rd. To his credit, he regrouped himself. By the 4th, Zverev was the one getting rattled emotionally. Felt bad for him: the bad call reversed would have given him a break-back in the 4th, and who knows what would have happened after that? There was a lot of anxiety out there on both sides. Alcaraz was the one who held his nerve better in the end.
A lot of commentators only just talk about how the losing player is doing everything wrong. Appreciate your player perspective where you understand more the difficulties of what the players are dealing with
Name suggestion for the short hitter content... Drop shots? Love the content. Hated the missed call and agree that they need to use hawk eye / new tech at the French Open; but also think that the entire match didn't hinge on the missed call like some are suggesting. I don't think championship wins or losses hinge on one call like the one which was replayed. Anyway. Thoughts? Thanks for the analysis.
I would be interested to know what Andy thinks of the “pickle juice” Carlos was drinking. He lost two sets in a row, then guzzled a few jars of the stuff then had an immediate boost in energy. It is super sus. The ATP should test that stuff to ensure it is not a PED….
Couldn't agree more on the lack of Hawkeye or equivalent tech out there. This 'holding onto tradition' argument is antiquated and holds no water w/ me and droves of other fans. No telling how many very key points have been won/lost by faulty eyes and wrong calls.
Zverev should have been serve and volleying more if he wanted to win that match. Letting Carlos return from the back fence all match was not a winning strategy. He needs a new coach.
Very good final. It was well worth the watch. I will say, though, that Alcaraz looked pretty pedestrian for stretches in the 2nd & 3rd sets, and only part of that was due to Zverev's play, imo.
