Carlos Alcaraz is into the US Open quarter-finals, having reached that stage at a canter.
The Spaniard has been in supreme form all year really, and has easily transferred that winning run to New York, having yet to drop a set.
A champion here in 2022, given the way he is playing at the moment, it would be unwise to bet against him doubling his title tally at Flushing Meadows.
And yet, despite his remarkable dominance over 99% of the men’s tour, Martina Navratilova was keen to ensure he didn’t rest on his laurels.
Speaking live on Sky Sports immediately after his fourth-round win over Arthur Rinderknech, she actually offered him some advice after noting an interesting quirk within his game.
Martina Navratilova offers Carlos Alcaraz advice after US Open win
She claimed: “But I just thought his swing, I feel like the right hand, I think is a bit strong on his swing. I bet he hooks it a lot more than he slices.
“I think that left hand needs to come a little bit more, lead more on the down swing. From what I saw there. I’m an expert. At everything. Little do you know.
Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
“No, seriously. He’s fresh. I think compared to last year, what he went through with the Olympics playing doubles with Rafa, trying to help him out, then losing to Novak in the final. He’s fresh in every way. Mentally, emotionally, and physically, and it shows.”
Ironically, Chris Evert actually compared Navratilova to Alcaraz in the past, stating that their maverick play styles mirrored one another.
Perhaps that is why she is so well-placed to critique a swing that has brought such success so early in his career.
Carlos Alcaraz is cruising at the US Open
Carlos Alcaraz may well take such advice on board if he is to hear it, given how clear his drive for perfection is.
Fortunately for him, the US Open thus far has been the closest thing to that for him.
He started off his campaign with a dominant win over the tricky Reilly Opelka, before following that up with an even more comprehensive victory against Mattia Bellucci.
Fellow Italian Luciano Darderi also lost in straight sets, with Rinderknech his latest victim.
Alcaraz has still only been broken once all tournament.
Jiri Lehecka, however, will definitely pose a far greater threat in the quarter-finals.