"Everything feels easy for me here" - Can Alcaraz match Federer and Djokovic’s Indian Wells dominance?

Carlos Alcaraz arrived at Indian Wells with the goal of securing his third consecutive title in Tennis Paradise. The Spaniard is set to make his debut on Saturday morning against Frenchman Quentin Halys and, upon arriving at the tournament, expressed his confidence in maintaining his strong form at the start of the Sunshine Double.

The four-time Grand Slam champion has won the last two Indian Wells finals against Daniil Medvedev and now aims for a third straight crown. If he succeeds, he will match the only two legends who have achieved this feat: Roger Federer (2004-2006) and Novak Djokovic (2014-2016).

Read also

Tournament Centre Indian Wells Open 2025: Schedule, results, Prize Money and TV Guide

However, both Federer and Djokovic hold five Indian Wells titles each, making them the most successful players in tournament history, while Rafael Nadal has also lifted the trophy three times.

Alcaraz on chasing history: "I try not to think about it"

In his press conference, Alcaraz addressed the possibility of matching Federer and Djokovic while also sharing how much he enjoys playing at Indian Wells. "I know it’s something only two players have done in history, but I try not to think about it—I just enjoy it. I embrace the pressure. Every time I come here, I love training, competing, and playing my matches," he said.

Read also

Champions’ feast: Swiatek and Alcaraz enjoy traditional dishes ahead of Indian Wells debut

The event will also serve as an opportunity for Alcaraz to assess his progress on serve, an area he has targeted for improvement this season. "Everything feels easy for me here. I just focus on enjoying this tournament, which I look forward to every year," he added.

The four-time Grand Slam champion has identified his serve as a key aspect to improve this year, even adjusting his mechanics during the off-season. "Right now, I feel really good with my serve. I believe it’s a big step forward in my game."

Just a few weeks ago, he clinched his first indoor hardcourt title, a clear sign that his serve is becoming a more effective weapon for earning easy points. "I just need to keep trusting my motion and my serve overall because I know it can be a great weapon. I'm very happy with the progress. I think I’m close to becoming a serve bot," he joked.

Read also

Daily Dose of Social Media: Zheng Qinwen shines in new photoshoot, wind causes chaos in Fonsecas’ match

A tough road ahead

If Alcaraz gets past Halys, he will face a challenging path in the tournament. His potential opponents include:

• Denis Shapovalov (3rd round)

• Grigor Dimitrov or Sebastian Korda (4th round)

• Novak Djokovic (quarter-finals)

• Taylor Fritz (semi-finals)

• Alexander Zverev (final)

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe