By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Photograph credit score: Cameron Spencer/Getty
Palm Springs is a well-liked retirement spot.
Carlos Alcaraz sees it as a reinvention realm.
Two-time defending BNP Paribas Open champion Alcaraz is enjoying for a uncommon three-peat in Indian Wells whereas rebranding as “near a serve-bot.”
The second-seeded Alcaraz will launch his Indian Wells title protection in opposition to both red-hot Frenchman Quentin Halys or a qualifier.
Ought to seeds maintain true to type, Alcaraz will sq. off in opposition to Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic in an Indian Wells quarterfinal conflict that may be a rematch of the 2024 Wimbledon last, Olympic gold-medal last and the Australian Open quarterfinals the place the Serbian celebrity rallied from a set right down to knock out the Spaniard.
The 21-year-old Alcaraz rides a 12-match Indian Wells profitable streak as he goals to affix Djokovic and his tennis hero, Roger Federer, in pulling off a three-peat in Tennis Paradise.
“I do know that that is one thing that solely two gamers have finished within the historical past, I feel,” Alcaraz advised the media in Indian Wells in right now’s pre-tournament presser. “So I am right here to take that strain, for example. I’ll strive not to consider it. I’ll strive simply to get pleasure from it.
“As a result of this event, each time that I come right here, I get pleasure from a lot, you already know, practising, enjoying. All the pieces for me right here is really easy. So all I am considering is to get pleasure from this event. I am ready the entire yr simply to return again right here. So I’ll strive not to consider it. Simply move and see how it may be, the event. However it’s one thing that for me can be nice to attain.”
Along with his three-peat quest, Alcaraz will attempt to adapt to a brand new, quicker Indian Wells floor and fulfil his goal to sharpen his serve and attain “serve-bot” standing.
A key goal for the Alcaraz this yr: Create extra snug service holds.
Although Alcaraz can blast 130 mph-plus first-serves, can serve with hellacious spin and dots all areas of the field, he clocked in at solely No. 30 on the ATP Tour in first-serve factors received in 2024 (73 p.c) and was No. 12 within the very important service video games received class (85.4 p.c).
That’s low for a four-time Grand Slam champion of Alcaraz’s caliber.
In distinction, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner was No. 1 in service video games received (91.4 p.c) and was second in first-serve factors received (79.3 p.c) final yr.
Working with coaches Juan Carlos Ferrero and Samuel Lopez to streamline his serve movement, Alcaraz mentioned right now he’s happy along with his second serve and believes the primary serve “might be higher.”
“I am feeling nice. I am feeling like an improve on the serve,” advised the media in Indian Wells. “So simply to maintain believing on the motion, on the serve, as a result of I do know that there’s going to be an excellent serve.
“My second serve, I belief rather a lot. My second serve I feel is a extremely good and strong one. The primary serve might be higher. However, you already know, day-after-day I am feeling the progress. However typically, you already know, within the matches, in the course of the practices, you do not really feel nearly as good as you need it, so you must separate enjoying from the baseline than the serve.”
This season, Alcaraz is holding serve at an 86.83 clip, which is 14th on the ATP Tour, and has received 75 p.c of first-serve factors.
If the stadium court docket is certainly enjoying quicker this yr as some gamers have mentioned, then Alcaraz’s capability to regulate the primary shot after the serve can be essential as he strives for a uncommon three-eat and serve-bot standing.
“So if the serve does not work in any respect, I imply, you’ll be able to play good tennis from the baseline and neglect concerning the serve,” Alcaraz mentioned. “However proper now, I am feeling nice.
“I am actually comfortable about all the pieces I am doing with the serve, so I am near be a serve-bot, I suppose.”
