Creates even greater upper body tension. Mimic Alcaraz’s turn and you can feel the stretch in the lats. The added shoulder rotation builds greater stored energy to release into the shot.
Faster swing speed without extra motion. Alcaraz’s shoulders turn more, but he keeps a nice bend in the hitting elbow and the racquet head even with his chest, just like players with more modest rotation. He uncoils with a loose arm to generate immense racquet head speed without an overly exaggerated swing path.
Yes, Alcaraz is something of a unicorn—not everyone can duplicate his range of motion, upper body flexibility or otherworldly timing. But even coming close to his shoulder turn will add extra mph to your forehand.
Give it a try the next time you play. After you blast a winner by your opponent, don’t forget to crack a big smile just like Carlos.
