While the first serve often provides a significant advantage on grass, Alcaraz frequently returns it successfully, even scoring numerous points. The Spaniard boasts a world-leading 32.1% first-serve return point win percentage, surpassing even Novak Djokovic, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, whose percentage stands at 30.7%, fourth among active players.

Alcaraz also trails only slightly behind Djokovic in return game win percentage on grass (25.5% compared to 25.9%). Across all surfaces, Alcaraz ranks second with a 31.3% return game win percentage, while Djokovic leads with 31.7%.

Alcaraz returns a serve at the Queen's Club Championships in London, England, a warm-up tournament for Wimbledon. Photo: Reuters

Alcaraz returns a serve at the Queen's Club Championships in London, England, a warm-up tournament for Wimbledon. Photo: Reuters

Alcaraz's return game typically improves as a tournament progresses. In eight grass court semifinals and finals, he has won 33.7% of first-serve return points, exceeding his career average. Across all surfaces in these late-stage matches, Alcaraz leads with 34.7%, followed by Djokovic at 33.6%.

Alcaraz's exceptional first-serve return prowess somewhat overshadows his second-serve return game, though his 51% win percentage remains strong. However, other players perform similarly well on second-serve returns, placing Alcaraz only 13th in this category.

Alcaraz's rival, Jannik Sinner, has a lower first-serve return point win percentage of 28.8% but surpasses Alcaraz on second-serve returns with a 52% success rate. Further improvement in this area would make the five-time Grand Slam champion even more formidable on grass, the surface where he has triumphed at Wimbledon for the past two years.

Alcaraz currently holds a 12-match winning streak on grass, boasting a 91% win rate, higher than both Roger Federer (87%) and Djokovic (86%), who are widely considered grass court masters. He has also lost only three matches on grass, fewer than his four titles on the surface.

Alcaraz is at Wimbledon preparing for the third Grand Slam of the year, which begins tomorrow, 30/6. The defending champion starts his title defense against 38-year-old veteran Fabio Fognini. Alcaraz enters the tournament with a personal best 18-match winning streak.

Vy Anh