Australian Open 2026: Carlos Alcaraz’s serve gets a Novak Djokovic upgrade at Melbourne Park

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Looking at three images side-by-side – Djokovic and Alcaraz serving in Melbourne this week, and Alcaraz serving at the US Open – the differences are clear. And so is the inspiration, especially with the curled-up right wrist. (PHOTO: Screengrabs)

The most eye-catching point of the opening round of the 2026 Australian Open was the subtle change in Carlos Alcaraz’s serve. Not just in terms of the evolution of the one stroke that the 26-year-old is yet to perfect in what has rapidly become quite a chink-free tennis armour. But for whom he seems to be emulating.

Novak Djokovic has seen the videos. He is seeking compensation. “We have to speak about (getting a) percentage of his winnings,” he says. “Every ace, I expect a tribute to me.” The 24-time Major winner may not have won a Grand Slam title in over two years, but the fact that the World No. 1 tennis player is still aping elements of his game is surely a confidence booster.

Renewed stance

The first hint that Alcaraz is trying to take elements of Djokovic’s first strike came during videos of both their training sessions before the start of the tournament. The way he unfurled it during his straight-sets first-round win on Sunday confirmed that the serve has a distinctly new look from the changes he brought to it at last year’s US Open, which he won with only one break of serve to his name all tournament. The changes are predominantly in stance and motion. Alcaraz’s original service motion had always been too much of a body-jerk; his team had looked to smooth it out all of last year. In doing so, he seems to have taken a leaf out of Djokovic’s book.

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Like Djokovic, Alcaraz’s service stance is now tighter, with his feet more closely placed together. He is also using Djokovic’s signature, atypical, starting position. The right wrist, holding the racquet, is curled up, with the racquet facing downwards. His shoulders are also not as far apart as they used to be, meaning he does not have to exert as much pressure or jump too high to meet the trajectory of the ball. All this, combined with a higher ball toss, smoothens the motion to ensure power, and the resultant closed racquet face that comes down on the ball ensures control. Ball placement is not sacrificed for power.

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The Serb has refined his service style to the best it has ever been in his 30s, thanks, in the most part, to a five-year coaching partnership with Goran Ivanisevic. Djokovic did not want to sacrifice accuracy for power; nor did he want to apply more pressure on his body or attempt to bulk up to dominate on serve. So, Ivanisevic worked out a path to make his motion super smooth.

Djokovic’s serve remains smoother and superior; if not always in execution, then definitely in terms of strategy. That his elbow is straighter and the racquet is pointed all the way to the ground, while Alcaraz is a bit higher, allows Djokovic a more relaxed and accurate swing. In fact, the three images put together look like before-and-after scenarios of turning a good serve into a class-leading one. Perhaps Ivanisevic deserves some royalties too; at the very least, a job application for the open position as Alcaraz’s coach.

Namit Kumar is a Senior Sports Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in New Delhi. He is known for his versatile reporting across several major sports disciplines. Professional Profile Specializations: He covers a wide variety of sports including tennis, football, cricket, and motorsports. Focus: His writing often delves into the finer details and technical analysis of the sports he covers. Social Media: You can find him on X (formerly Twitter) at @namitkumar_17. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Namit’s recent work focuses heavily on international cricket series and domestic tournaments, as well as high-profile global tennis events: International Cricket (India vs South Africa Series): "Intelligence, skill, and heart: How Arshdeep Singh took out Reeza Hendricks" (Dec 15, 2025) — A detailed analysis of Arshdeep's tactical comeback in the T20I series. "How India's seamers froze South Africa in chilly Dharamshala" (Dec 14, 2025). "Why India's T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav and vice-captain Shubman Gill losing form, is the start of a blunt headache" (Dec 12, 2025) — An analytical piece on the statistics and form of India's leadership duo. "Quinton de Kock dismantles Indian bowling combination with silent savagery" (Dec 11, 2025). Domestic Cricket (Ranji Trophy): "Ranji Trophy: J&K conquer Kotla and Delhi for first time" (Nov 11, 2025) — Reporting on the historic first win for Jammu & Kashmir over Delhi in the tournament's history. "What makes J&K pacer Auqib Nabi special" (Nov 8, 2025) — A profile on the pacer's accuracy and swing. "Unearthing the next Virat Kohli still a while away but Delhi's young batting talent full of promise" (Oct 24, 2025). Tennis and Golf: "Jannik Sinner's winter-time madness: How Italian refined his game to beat Alcaraz" (Nov 17, 2025) — A deep dive into Sinner’s technical improvements following his US Open loss. "Everyone's come to watch Rory McIlroy but keep an eye out for 'people's champion' Tommy Fleetwood" (Oct 17, 2025). Football Tactics: "Why are long throw-ins giving football defenders and lawmakers a headache?" (Nov 2, 2025) — An analytical piece on the evolving strategies surrounding throw-ins in modern football. Reporting Style Namit is active in covering the Delhi sports scene, providing detailed match reports for international cricket matches and Ranji Trophy fixtures at the Arun Jaitley Stadium. He also provides on-the-ground reporting for happenings in the city, such as his recent coverage of the DP World India Championship golf event. Additionally, he actively writes on tennis, analysing matches and reporting on major events, especially during the Grand Slam tournaments. ... Read More

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