Carlos Alcaraz: The key to the good level I play is… | ATP tour | Tennis

Player Features

Alcaraz: The key to the good level I play is…

World No. 1 Alcaraz is aiming for his third Indian Wells title
March 4, 2026

Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed at the BNP Paribas Open, believes the key to his perfect 12-0 start in 2026 is not about forehands and backhands.

“I think I have even better control of my emotions on the court. I would say that was the key to the good level of tennis I have been playing lately,” Alcaraz said during his pre-tournament press conference. “Because on the field I simply have myself under control and can find solutions in a quiet place.”

The Spaniard completed his Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open and maintained his momentum with a run to the Doha title. The No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings channels his mentality into wins early in the season.

“If I got angry or played bad or whatever, I just found the right path again because I was calm,” Alcaraz said. “I controlled myself and controlled my emotions and I maintained good focus. I would say I did that even better than before.”

Alcaraz is now on happy hunting ground in Indian Wells, where he owns a 20-3 record according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index. The 22-year-old claimed glory in the California desert in 2023 and 2024.

For the first time, Alcaraz arrives undefeated in Indian Wells. The top seed is full of confidence ahead of the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season.

“Just me [am] I’m really proud of my start to the year,” Alcaraz said. “Hopefully the winning streak continues, otherwise I would try that, but I’m just happy to see myself playing great tennis.”

Alcaraz will begin his hunt for his third Indian Wells title against former world number 3 Grigor Dimitrov or rising French southpaw Terence Atmane.

“Honestly, it’s going really well,” Alcaraz said. “It feels a little different than other years, but [I have had a] some good practices. [I am] back and ready, so it was good and I’m excited to get started.”