The case study: how a lost first set became a learning lab
On February 1, 2026 at Rod Laver Arena, Carlos Alcaraz beat Novak Djokovic 2–6, 6–2, 6–3, 7–5 to claim his first Australian Open and become the youngest man to complete the career Grand Slam. The result was historic, but the method is the real lesson. After a flat opening set, Alcaraz changed the tempo between points, adjusted his return position, and shifted his forehand and backhand patterns to pull the match onto his terms. See the official score and milestone.
Early on, Djokovic controlled the shortest exchanges and the emotional tone. Then the match changed: Alcaraz broke early in set two, took control of the third, saved six break points in a marathon second game of the fourth, and finally broke at 6–5 to close. The headlines are big, but the engine was built from smaller, repeatable behaviors that any improving junior or coach can copy. For a clean narrative of the turning points, read the ATP match report.
The between-point blueprint Alcaraz modeled
Champions do not only hit different shots. They manage time, breath, and attention differently. After set one, Alcaraz’s cadence slowed and his resets got cleaner. Here is a simple loop you can copy.
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Breathe: the 4–2–4 count
- Inhale through the nose for 4 counts as you turn away from the baseline.
- Hold for 2. Exhale for 4 through pursed lips while you loosen the grip and roll the shoulders.
- Why it works: it lowers heart rate, steadies the visual system, and interrupts negative self-talk.
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Body: two quick checks
- Strings and stance. Straighten strings to cue a reset. Plant both feet parallel to the baseline for one second before you walk to your return or serve position. This anchors posture so your next move is a choice, not a flinch.
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Brief script: seven words or fewer
- Examples: “Feet first.” “High forehand, patient backhand.” “Commit on return.” Short scripts keep the motor plan at the front of your mind as the point begins.
If you want a deeper dive on tight, match-ready resets, study our 90-second reset routine.
Return-position tweaks that changed the serve math
Djokovic thrives when your return contact drifts back and your feet freeze. In the first set, he earned too many easy first hits. Alcaraz’s counter on second serves in set two was a return squeeze: a half step inside the baseline, earlier contact, and a heavier, deeper reply through the middle. As the match wore on, the free points dried up.
Actionable cues for your return game this week:
- On second serves only, test a half step forward for one return game. If depth or timing wobbles, do not abandon the idea. Add a split-step cue word at toss release, then contact out in front.
- Favor middle-third returns early in sets to shrink angles and deny the server an obvious forehand plus one. Shift to corner returns when the server starts guessing middle.
- Track outcomes by category, not by point: deep middle neutralizer, deep corner stretch, short sitter. Tally after each return game. Change position only if the category tally stays red for two games.
For a full walkthrough of spacing and targets, use our return positioning and serve plus one guide.
Pattern shifts that flipped baseline control
The biggest shot-quality story was not raw power. It was how Alcaraz used backhand crosscourt to lock Djokovic in the ad court and stop him from jumping inside-out with the forehand. Once he had that lock, forehand patterns opened. In sets two and three, Alcaraz increased the share of backhands crosscourt to stabilize, kept errors down on that wing, then used forehand inside out or inside in to strike.
Numbers supported the feel: Alcaraz finished with 36 winners and 27 unforced errors, converting 5 of 16 break points. Djokovic leaked errors late as the lock-and-release pattern kept him off balance. For why serve tempo also mattered, see our breakdown of the second-serve slowdown and long-rally edge.
Three court-positioning drills to run this week
These are designed for high school teams, academies, and serious juniors. Coaches can drop them into practice without new equipment.
1) The 0–4 lock and release
Goal: Win the first four shots by design, not by hope.
Setup
- Baseline to baseline. Feeder serves or drops a neutral ball. Scoring is point-by-point.
Rules
- Returner or receiver hits a neutralizing ball deep to the middle on shot 2.
- On shot 3, hitter calls before contact: “lock” = backhand crosscourt to the ad corner; “release” = forehand change of direction to deuce corner.
- Point is live after shot 4.
Scoring
- First to 12 points. Bonus point if shot 2 lands past the service line in the center third. Minus one if shot 2 lands short.
Coaching cues
- Earlier split-step on return. Contact in front. Backhand height through the top of the net strap for margin when you “lock.” Forehand with hips turned through contact when you “release.”
Progressions
- Serve live with second serves only for two games, then add first serves. Film two reps per player to audit spacing.
2) Second-serve squeeze game
Goal: Replicate Alcaraz’s return-position adjustment that blunted free points.
Setup
- Server hits only second serves for a full game. Returner starts with a foot on the baseline.
Rules
- Returner steps in on toss release and makes contact inside the baseline.
- Legal targets for the first ball are deep middle or deep to the server’s backhand corner.
Scoring
- Standard game scoring. If the returner lands the ball past the service line and wins the point, it counts double. If the returner misses long, replay the point. If the returner leaves the feet behind the baseline at contact, server gets an automatic point.
Coaching cues
- Soften the grip and shorten the backswing. Think heavy through the strings. Eyes level through contact. No fishing.
Progressions
- Add a second ball: the returner must execute a deep return, then a crosscourt backhand on the next shot. Switch roles every two games.
3) Corner lock 2–1 pattern
Goal: Build the backhand lock and use forehand to finish.
Setup
- Two players. Feeder starts neutral.
Rules
- Hitter plays two consecutive backhands crosscourt to the ad corner, then one forehand change of direction. Repeat until a short ball appears, then finish anywhere.
Scoring
- First to 10 sequences. Minus one if the forehand change of direction lands short or below net strap height.
Coaching cues
- Backhand stance slightly closed with a firm outside leg to hold the line. Forehand change of direction only on balance and on a ball above net height. Use the non-dominant hand to finish the turn.
Progressions
- Add a live opponent who can counter down the line after your forehand. Track how often your forehand change is deep enough to prevent the counter.
A simple pressure-proofing routine you can copy
This is the match-ready version of the between-point loop. Use it in tiebreaks or when a set is slipping.
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The 15-second rally reset
- Seconds 0–5: Turn away, four-count inhale, two-count hold, four-count exhale. Loosen grip. Shoulders down.
- Seconds 5–10: One cue scan. Where is your next contact point in space? Picture height and target, not score.
- Seconds 10–15: Short script out loud or in a whisper. Examples: “First step wins.” “Big cross, safe line.” Then walk in with purpose.
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The changeover 90
- Minute 1: Sit back in the chair, feet flat. Two slow breaths. Sip water and small bite only if needed. No scrolling. Eyes on your towel or strings.
- Minute 2–3: Two lines in a notebook. Line 1: what is working. Line 2: what is next. Keep it binary. For example, “Working: deep middle returns. Next: step in on second serves.” The act of writing clarifies, calms, and commits.
If you already track match data in OffCourt, plug these notes into your post-match review so your next practice session targets real pressure points.
What coaches and parents should build around this week
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Design practices that grade decisions, not only outcomes
- Score a plus one whenever a player chooses the right spacing or target even if the ball misses by inches. Remove one when they hit the wrong target in rhythm. This teaches pattern discipline.
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Use red–yellow–green feedback at water breaks
- Red: a pattern that is losing you points now. Yellow: borderline. Green: keep going. Players must name one red and one green. Coaches then assign the first two drills above to address the red.
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Warm up with the 4–2–4 breath every day
- This normalizes the routine so it appears automatically in a match.
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Track return depth in three buckets
- Short inside the service box, deep past the service line, and pin-deep on the back fence hop. Tally each set. Aim to move the deep bucket up by five balls per set within two weeks.
Why this blueprint worked against Djokovic
Tactically, the return squeeze denied him quick points, and the backhand lock trapped his forehand behind the baseline. Physiologically, the slower between-point cadence kept Alcaraz’s legs fresher. Psychologically, the brief scripts focused his attention on controllables. The combined effect showed up in the last two sets as Djokovic’s errors rose under pattern pressure.
The final sequence captures it. Djokovic fought off pressure early in set four, but Alcaraz kept squeezing return positions and hammering the forehand to the open court after a backhand lock. At 6–5 in the fourth set, he read two serves, forced errors with early contact, and broke to win. That is not luck. It is repetition paying off at the right moment.
Put it in play
- Run the three drills above twice this week. On the second day, film 10 minutes of the Second-serve squeeze game.
- Install the 15-second reset loop for every between-point. Practice it in team sets and challenge matches before you try it in tournaments.
- Capture two match notes per changeover using the “Working / Next” frame. That is your action list for next practice.
If you want a faster lift, build your plan inside OffCourt. The app takes your match tendencies and turns them into custom court-positioning drills and pressure routines you can follow without guesswork.