In the heart of the Californian desert, a tennis star is on the rise, replicating the tactics of none other than Rafael Nadal. Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion at Indian Wells, is making waves in the tournament, going unbeaten in 15 consecutive matches. His latest victory was a masterclass against Grigor Dimitrov, where he conceded just two games.
Alcaraz’s affinity for Indian Wells has been likened to a home game, a sentiment shared by his countryman, Nadal. Alcaraz has disclosed that he is deploying the same off-court technique that Nadal used to enhance his performance – playing golf on non-match days.
The 21-year-old Alcaraz is eyeing a historic feat, aiming to join the elite club of Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the third male player to clinch the Indian Wells title three times consecutively. His recent triumph over Dimitrov, with a scoreline of 6-1 6-1, brings him a step closer to this coveted achievement.
Alcaraz, who celebrated his quarter-final berth with a heartfelt Instagram post declaring Indian Wells as his second home, has not tasted defeat at the tournament since his 2022 semi-final loss to Nadal. The latter, a 22-time Major winner, was also an ardent fan of Indian Wells, largely due to the opportunity it provided to indulge in his golfing passion on his days off.
Nadal’s love for golf wasn’t just a recreational activity, but also a strategic move to enhance his performance on the tennis court. It offered him the relaxation he needed for the high-intensity matches and acted as an incentive to extend his stay in California. Alcaraz, intrigued by this tactic, has adopted it into his routine.
When asked about his golfing endeavors amidst the tournament, Alcaraz confirmed, “Yes. Almost every day.” He added that Indian Wells, which he considers a ‘paradise of golf’, offers him the perfect balance of spending quality time with his team and family while also focusing on self-care. This off-court activity has proved to be a beneficial stress-reliever, assisting him in delivering his best on the tennis court.
However, golf isn’t the sole secret to Alcaraz’s success in the desert. The Spaniard thrives in the windy conditions of the court, a trait that echoes Nadal’s style of play. He explained, “I think every day [there] is a little bit of wind which I like playing with. So I think everything suits pretty well to my game, to my style.”
Alcaraz is all set to face Francisco Cerundolo in the upcoming quarter-final on Thursday, aiming to extend his winning streak. The last time these two met in a tour-level match was at London’s Queen’s Club last summer, where Alcaraz emerged victorious.
