Match Reaction
Alcaraz jokes he’s ‘playing Federer every round’ after Indian Wells win
Spaniard is 14-0 on the season
March 10, 2026
ATP Tour
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Arthur Rinderknech in three units on Monday in Indian Wells.
By Sam Jacot
Carlos Alcaraz has grown accustomed to opponents bringing their finest after they face him. But after battling previous Arthur Rinderknech on Monday on the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the Spaniard had a humorous method of describing the problem.
“I just sometimes get tired [of] playing Roger Federer every round,” Alcaraz stated in his post-match press convention. “Sometimes [it] just feels they’re playing an insane level.”
World No. 28 Rinderknech struck 17 winners to clinch the opening set in opposition to Alcaraz on a tie-break, earlier than the No. 1 participant within the PIF ATP Rankings rallied and raised his stage additional to earn a 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2 victory.
For Alcaraz, the expertise is changing into acquainted, with opponents swinging freely, enjoying their finest tennis with little to lose.
“If they play that stage each match, they need to be increased within the rating,” Alcaraz said. “But it’s clearly one thing that considerations me. When I’m simply enjoying, I take into consideration that. All I can do is simply settle for it, maintain it going, making an attempt to do various things within the match.
“Trying to not to let him be aggressive or play his style. Put my style, my tennis, my level into the match and try to turn around the things that way I try to do. But obviously, the first thing is just accept it.”
Despite the challenges, Alcaraz is 14-0 on the season, in keeping with the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, highlighted by titles on the Australian Open and on the ATP 500 occasion in Doha. Alcaraz believes the phenomenon might merely include the territory of being World No. 1.
“I feel like I have a target on my back, and I feel like if they don’t play that kind of tennis, they can’t win, or it is what I think they could think,” Alcaraz additional defined.
Alcaraz is in search of a 3rd Indian Wells trophy and ninth ATP Masters 1000 crown this week. The 22-year-old Spaniard will face Casper Ruud within the fourth spherical and can take a 5-1 Lexus ATP Head2Head sequence lead into the conflict.
