Alcaraz's drop-shot mastery fuels Laver Cup revenge over Fritz

Alcaraz won the match 6-3, 4-6, 13-11 in dramatic fashion after saving two match points. The result was sweet revenge for the Spaniard who lost to the same opponent at the event last year.

Reflecting on the drop shot that closed it out, Alcaraz made clear it was no improvisation.

"I really had a sense of it, so in those really close, important moments, I tried to use it because it was a really good weapon for me," he said.

"I've been practicing the drop shot since I was a little kid. It's part of my game."

Throughout the match Alcaraz mixed creativity with drop shots, lobs and athletic retrievals, and the kind of relaxed intensity that has defined his best performances.

"Every time I smile, it feels like I'm having fun and I'm relaxed," he said.

"When that time comes, it's when I play my best tennis. It's important to accept the moment, even if it's break point down or 6-all in the tiebreak. You have to accept those moments."

That approach proved decisive. After Team Europe's earlier losses on Saturday left the Spaniard thinking about the previous year's clean sweep by Team World, he admitted nerves at the start.

The victory also marked another step in Alcaraz's careful rebuild after a demanding US Open quarterfinal loss to Ben Shelton.

"The week and a half or two weeks I had after the US Open was really important for me," he stated.

"I took off almost a week without touching a racket to recover the body well after a physically demanding US Open.

"Slowly, I am getting back to my normal rhythm tennis-wise, and my serve has been a really important weapon to me. I have made a couple of small changes and it has been working out."

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