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

Friday, 07 March 2025 at 22:15

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).

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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.

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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.

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)

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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