The Indian Wells Masters 1000, the first one of the ATP Tour this year, began this week. Most of the world’s top players are present, but there is one notable absence: Jannik Sinner, currently ranked World No. 1, will miss the tournament due to a three-month suspension imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), which will end on May 4. Carlos Alcaraz was asked for his opinion on this before his debut in the tournament.
“Jannik’s not playing, but there are a lot of the best players in the world who are playing here,” Alcaraz said during a press conference this week in California. “For me, coming here to approach the tournament, it doesn’t change at all. I’m just focused on my things, on myself, and I try to play good tennis here.”
The Spanish star has a point, considering the competitive field at Indian Wells despite the absence of the current World No. 1. While he awaits his opponent for his Friday debut, Carlos is already aware that in the round of 16, he could face Grigor Dimitrov, currently ranked World No. 14.
And should Alcaraz continue his progress in the tournament, a potential quarterfinal clash with Novak Djokovic looms. The two recently met in the quarterfinals of the 2025 Australian Open, where the Serbian star triumphed before falling in the semifinals to Alexander Zverev.
Alcaraz and Djokovic seek records
A potential quarterfinal matchup between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic could carry added significance, as both players are eyeing career milestones that could further elevate their legacies.
Djokovic has 99 career singles titles and is just one victory away from becoming only the third player in the Open Era to reach 100. Before him, only Roger Federer, who retired in 2022 with 103 titles, and Jimmy Connors, with 109, have achieved that feat.
Alcaraz, on the other hand, is chasing a much more modest but still notable record. He seeks to become the third player in ATP history to win three consecutive titles at Indian Wells. The young Spaniard was crowned champion in 2023 and 2024, defeating Daniil Medvedev both times. Should he claim the title again this year, he will join Djokovic and Federer in this elite achievement.
Alcaraz is not thinking about the record
When asked about the prospect of reaching this historic milestone at just 21 years old, Carlos Alcaraz emphasized that his focus remains on the present, not the record. “I will try not to think about it. I will try just to enjoy it,” he said during the press conference. “Just flow and see how it’s going to be… But it is something that for me would be great to achieve.”
He also shared his love for the tournament and how comfortable he feels each time he competes in the California desert: “This tournament, every time that I come here, I enjoy so much. Practicing, playing, everything for me here is so easy. So all I’m thinking is to enjoy this tournament. I’m waiting the whole year just to come back here.”