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 towards both red-hot Frenchman Quentin Halys or a qualifier.
Ought to seeds maintain true to kind, Alcaraz will sq. off towards Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic in an Indian Wells quarterfinal conflict that might be a rematch of the 2024 Wimbledon last, Olympic gold-medal last and the Australian Open quarterfinals the place the Serbian famous person 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 carried out within the historical past, I feel,” Alcaraz advised the media in Indian Wells in immediately’s pre-tournament presser. “So I am right here to take that strain, for instance. I’ll attempt not to consider it. I’ll attempt simply to take pleasure in it.
“As a result of this match, each time that I come right here, I take pleasure in a lot, you understand, working towards, enjoying. The whole lot for me right here is really easy. So all I am pondering is to take pleasure in this match. I am ready the entire yr simply to come back again right here. So I’ll attempt not to consider it. Simply stream and see how it’ll be, the match. However it’s one thing that for me could be nice to realize.”
Along with his three-peat quest, Alcaraz will attempt to adapt to a brand new, sooner 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 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 immediately he’s happy along with his second serve and believes the primary serve “may very well 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 ideal serve.
“My second serve, I belief lots. My second serve I feel is a extremely good and strong one. The primary serve may very well be higher. However, you understand, on daily basis I am feeling the progress. However generally, you understand, within the matches, in the course of the practices, you do not really feel nearly as good as you need it, so it’s important to 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 courtroom is certainly enjoying sooner this yr as some gamers have mentioned, then Alcaraz’s potential to regulate the primary shot after the serve shall be essential as he strives for a uncommon three-eat and serve-bot standing.
“So if the serve would not work in any respect, I imply, you’ll be able to play good tennis from the baseline and overlook in regards to the serve,” Alcaraz mentioned. “However proper now, I am feeling nice.
“I am actually completely happy about the whole lot I am doing with the serve, so I am near be a serve-bot, I assume.”
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