Alcaraz on Twin Mission: Defend Title, Rebrand as Serve-Bot

By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, March 4, 2025
Picture 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 taking part in 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 kind, Alcaraz will sq. off in opposition to Grand Slam king Novak Djokovic in an Indian Wells quarterfinal conflict that might be a rematch of the 2024 Wimbledon closing, Olympic gold-medal closing 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 successful streak as he goals to hitch 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 completed within the historical past, I believe,” Alcaraz advised the media in Indian Wells in as we speak’s pre-tournament presser. “So I am right here to take that stress, for instance. I’ll attempt not to consider it. I’ll attempt simply to get pleasure from it.

“As a result of this match, each time that I come right here, I get pleasure from a lot, you realize, working towards, taking part in. All the pieces for me right here is very easy. So all I am considering is to get pleasure from 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 can be nice to attain.”

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 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 as we speak he’s happy together with his second serve and believes the primary serve “could possibly 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 a terrific serve.

“My second serve, I belief so much. My second serve I believe is a very good and stable one. The primary serve could possibly be higher. However, you realize, every single day I am feeling the progress. However generally, you realize, within the matches, throughout the practices, you do not really feel pretty much as good as you need it, so you need to separate taking part in 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 taking part in sooner this yr as some gamers have mentioned, then Alcaraz’s potential to regulate the primary shot after the serve will probably 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 may play good tennis from the baseline and overlook concerning the serve,” Alcaraz mentioned. “However proper now, I am feeling nice.

“I am actually completely satisfied about all the pieces I am doing with the serve, so I am near be a serve-bot, I assume.”