The Secret Behind Alcaraz’s Insane Forehand Power (Whip Like Technique)

The Secret Behind Alcaraz’s Insane Forehand Power (Whip Like Technique)
Carlos Alcaraz has one of the best forehands in tennis today. Alcaraz can hit crushing forehands at over 100 miles per hour without breaking sweat.
So how exactly does he generate so much power?

Let's find out in this lesson:

Carlos Alcaraz Forehand Grip - Carlos uses a semi western forehand grip, which is the most commonly used grip on both the ATP and WTA tours.
This grip allows you to deal with high, medium and low balls plus you can generate heavy topspin or flatten out the forehand.

Carlos Alcaraz's Forehand Preparation - Carlos prepares much like the standard "modern ATP forehand" with the racket head above the grip, and the left hand (non hitting hand) holding the throat of the racket. Alcaraz uses his body to initiate the swing by coiling his trunk, storing explosive energy in his core muscles. Carlos leads the backswing with his elbow, which tilts the racket into a unique position.

Alcaraz's Forehand Power Position - After the coil, Carlos uses a "power trick" to generate even more trunk rotation than most pros, he keeps his left hand on the throat of the racket until he reaches or even passes the line of his right shoulder. This creates extra tension in his core, ready to be unleashed on the forward phase of the swing.
Carlos' racket in this phase is tilted with the tip of he racket facing down the court, and the butt cap facing the back of the court. This position will allow Carlos to flip the racket, creating a whip like motion.

Once the hands separate, Carlos reaches a very traditional power position, and now he's ready to extend into the lag phase.

Carlos Alcaraz Forehand Lag - Carlos uses the extended elbow on his forehand, meaning that at the point of contact, his arm is almost if not fully extended.
In the preparation phase, Carlos' elbow is bent, and once he start extending, this creates another whip like effect with the racket.

So he has two whip like motions that help him generate insane forehand power

Video Timeline:
00:00 - Alcaraz Forehand Grip
00:40 - Alcaraz Forehand Preparation
01:50 - The unique angle of his takeback
03:20 - The cheat code to the Alcaraz forehand
04:15 - The whip like motion
06:20 - Variations with Alcaraz's finish