Indian Wells 2026 - Men's Singles Discussion

[4UTRMoutet]

Alcaraz will prove the haters wrong.

 

[tennisjedi]

Alcaraz is box office!

 

[NYTennisfan]

My lord, Carlos is showtime personified

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

I’ve never seen a guy more comfortable playing from behind than Alcaraz. Djoker and Borg are two others that seemed to thrive on trailing in a match.

I always felt like at times in a best of 3, Djokovic would treat first sets like a warm up exercise. Taking notes, and downloading his opponents data. I never really had much doubt that after he would drop the first set he'd come back and win the next 2 in a row.

And Alcaraz it seems typically always seems to get better as the match goes on and plays his best tennis under pressure.

 

[Pheasant]

I always felt like at times in a best of 3, Djokovic would treat first sets like a warm up exercise. Taking notes, and downloading his opponents data. I never really had much doubt that after he would drop the first set he'd come back and win the next 2 in a row.

And Alcaraz it seems typically always seems to get better as the match goes on and plays his best tennis under pressure.

You phrased that perfectly— downloaded his opponents’ data. I like that. Alcaraz does the same thing. Djoker spoke about Alcaraz’s adjustments after he fell down to Djoker 1-0 in the AO final this year. As a matter of fact, Alcaraz is 4-1 in slam finals where he lost the first set. That stat is almost impossible. Nobody is in the same universe in that metric.

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

You phrased that perfectly— downloaded his opponents’ data. I like that. Alcaraz does the same thing. Djoker spoke about Alcaraz’s adjustments after he fell down to Djoker 1-0 in the AO final this year. As a matter of fact, Alcaraz is 4-1 in slam finals where he lost the first set. That stat is almost impossible. Nobody is in the same universe in that metric.

Yeah man. Carlos has definitely studied the greats, has taken notes on everything he learned from them, built upon it and now is ready to take tennis to another level.

Absolutely love this kid. He's a joy to watch.

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

Carlos giving Arthur a lesson in trigonometry right now.

 

[Pheasant]

Wow. The live odds for Alcaraz to win are -1000. That means that you have to bet 1000.00 on Alcaraz in order to profit 100.00. That is insane.

Alcaraz is 54-25 in deciding sets in a best of 3 setup. That is insane.

Edit. Alcaraz starts out with a break!

 

[tennisjedi]

Arthur's doing his best, but it was always gonna be difficult to redline against Carlos for three sets.

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

Carlos " Ok I'll put it into 5th gear" Alcaraz.

 

[Giocoswitch]

Rinder's net game would probably stand out here if he was up against anyone else lol.

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

Rinder's net game would probably stand out here if he was up against anyone else lol.

He's literally playing the best tennis he's capable of in this match, respect earned. But yeah it's looking like Carlos is playing like Carlos and there's not much you can do when he does.

 

[NYTennisfan]

Carlos " Ok I'll put it into 5th gear" Alcaraz.

The Carlos Alcaraz Experience. Put it on cruise control early then steal the soul and the legs of the opponent as the match wears on, Djokovic-like in that respect.

 

[Pheasant]

Goodnight Irene. Carlos just broke Rinder again to go up a double break.

Let’s not forget that Rinder was once up a set and a break. That seems like a decade ago.

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

The Carlos Alcaraz Experience. Put it on cruise control early then steal the soul and the legs of the opponent as the match wears on, Djokovic-like in that respect.

So true man haha. Give them a false sense of hope just to take it away. Poor Arthur, he really is playing to the best of his ability. But this kids too special.

 

[4UTRMoutet]

C'mon Rinderknech. Get the break and save tennis.

Tennis was saved tonight. And Rinderknech gets to take a break back in France!

 

[NYTennisfan]

So true man haha. Give them a false sense of hope just to take it away. Poor Arthur, he really is playing to the best of his ability. But this kids too special.

Rinderknech was zoning but Alcaraz just let him use up all his energy early then, boom, he strikes and it's over just like that.
The Alcaraz of pre-early 2025 might lose this match but not the Alcaraz of the last year or so.

 

[Pheasant]

Rinder has gotten 72% of his first serves in, along with 11 aces. And yet, he’s been broken 4 times.

 

[PlaysInAviatorShades]

looking like another sinner alcaraz final eh whatever

 

[NYTennisfan]

These two have the best at net exchanges, Rinderknech seems like a good dude

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

Rinderknech was zoning but Alcaraz just let him use up all his energy early then, boom, he strikes and it's over just like that.
The Alcaraz of pre-early 2025 might lose this match but not the Alcaraz of the last year or so.

Alcaraz seemed super tight earlier in the match which was why I was saying it seemed a bit disjointed, but he's now really loosened up he's playing his top tier tennis and just giving Arthur no time to breathe out there.

His shot making is second to none.

If we aren't now watching him in his prime, God help everyone on tour once he is.

Very impressed with his cajones in this match once he went down by a set.

And he puts it away in style!!! Vamos!!

 

[Giocoswitch]

Alcaraz 16/16 points on serve in the decider. Didn't give him a sniff of a sniff...

 

[ALCARAZWON]

I hope Ribderknech is good enough to hold serve my favorite thing in tennis is tiebreakers

Got my wish at least for a set

 

[bw114]

After going up a set and a break, Rinderknech won four more games the rest of the match. Never a doubt for Novak’s spiritual successor. Bamo Carlos!

 

[The Aceserver]

Waiting for the day when Carlos can’t “vamos” his way out of a match. It’s starting to get old, and it might take a while, but I’ll be waiting.

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

Rinder has gotten 72% of his first serves in, along with 11 aces. And yet, he’s been broken 4 times.

That is what we call Greatness sir

 

[djokovic the conqueror]

Tennis was saved tonight. And Rinderknech gets to take a break back in France!

 

[Pheasant]

Rinder had 34 winners against only 26 errors. He played about as well as he could have, but still lost.

 

[smoledman]

Freedom Fries

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

FAA vs Fils is my popcorn match for tomorrow. Hopefully should be a competitive entertaining match.

Draper and Djokovic should also be good. I predict Djokovic pukes at least once, and also throws in a bathroom break.

Have a feeling Alcaraz is gonna absolutely blitz Ruud tomorrow and it won't be much of a contest. But maybe I'll be wrong.

Same goes for Sinner against Fonseca, I think Sinner comes out and makes a statement. Unless he also has to pull out the vomit bag and cramps.

 

[smoledman]

R16

Djokovic/Draper
Alcaraz/Ruud
Sinner/Fonseca

these are mega matchups.

 

[TennisBro]

Have a feeling Alcaraz is gonna absolutely blitz Ruud tomorrow and it won't be much of a contest. But maybe I'll be wrong.

Has Carlos got injured today? I mean he limped a bit at one point against Rinder.

 

[TennisBro]

I always felt like at times in a best of 3, Djokovic would treat first sets like a warm up exercise. Taking notes, and downloading his opponents data. I never really had much doubt that after he would drop the first set he'd come back and win the next 2 in a row.

I've had that feeling at one point in GSs when Novak just had to wait and lose two sets to take all those notes and download all that data before winning the next three sets then. I mean Djoker almost established that routine in GSs before.

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

To be honest I didn't even notice if he was.

 

[KennyoFatoBoiyo]

I've had that feeling at one point in GSs when Novak just had to wait and lose two sets to take all those notes and download all that data before winning the next three sets then. I mean Djoker almost established that routine in GSs before.

Exactly

 

[MichaelNadal]

Alcaraz is box office!

My lord, Carlos is showtime personified

Carlos giving Arthur a lesson in trigonometry right now.

Carlos " Ok I'll put it into 5th gear" Alcaraz.

After going up a set and a break, Rinderknech won four more games the rest of the match. Never a doubt for Novak’s spiritual successor. Bamo Carlos!

#LockedInAlcaraz

 

[I get cramps]

Wait, Draper changed his serve to platform stance. Clearly not helping him. Has it anything to do with his injury?

Jamie Delgado and Greg Rusedski discussed this issue on the latter's podcast.

When serving from a pinpoint stance, Draper put a lot of stress on his shoulder. Delgado described Draper's serve as too 'army-like'.

It seems that, before he adopted the pinpoint stance, Jack served with a platform stance. Therefore, according to Delgado, the transition has been straightforward.


It seems that Jack Draper is: https://www.tennis.com/news/article...ice-motion-to-open-indian-wells-title-defense

 

[CarlitosWay]

Has Carlos got injured today? I mean he limped a bit at one point against Rinder.

Yeah, he injured the ankle a bit late in the 2nd set. Carlos said he should be fine, but it's something to keep an eye on.

 

[objection_]

Alcaraz is 4-1 in slam finals where he lost the first set.

Not to be pedantic but I'm pretty sure its 3-0..
The only three slam finals in which he dropped the first set was Wim 23, RG 25 and AO 26, which he won all of em.
The only slam final which he lost was against Sinner at Wim 25, in which he won the first set.
Anyhow, it makes for an even more impressive ratio for the young gun

 

[Zetty]

Alcaraz is a bad mf'er. Dam, wish I didn't miss this match...highlights will do.

 

[junior74]

R16

Djokovic/Draper
Alcaraz/Ruud
Sinner/Fonseca

these are mega matchups.

Make Egg Great Again!

 

[jstr]

Djoko may be the greatest, but Carlito is far more entertaining and awe inspiring,

 

[Mark Anderson]

Waiting for the day when Carlos can’t “vamos” his way out of a match. It’s starting to get old, and it might take a while, but I’ll be waiting.

How old are you?

 

[Mark Anderson]

im sure with his dough he can afford a transplant... they are as common as boob jobs now

He could transition for both.

 

[Vincent-C]

Jamie Delgado and Greg Rusedski discussed this issue on the latter's podcast.

When serving from a pinpoint stance, Draper put a lot of stress on his shoulder. Delgado described Draper's serve as too 'army-like'.

It seems that, before he adopted the pinpoint stance, Jack served with a platform stance. Therefore, according to Delgado, the transition has been straightforward.


It seems that Jack Draper is: https://www.tennis.com/news/article...ice-motion-to-open-indian-wells-title-defense

The article also says Draper switched to *gut strings*, which probably made the difference imo.

 

[tennis24x7]

If there's only one Sinner or Alcaraz, Djokovic can still defeat him with a Herculean effort, but not both. That's a bridge too far.

It not just these 2, anyone has a chance these days.

I know he said he is rusty, but I think his mental approach also plays a part. Its like he wants to win, but doesn't want to go all in all the time outside of slams. We saw what he is like when he goes all in, we saw it when he started to get serious in the last two sets in his previous match. When his mind is astray, even the most mundane things result in errors for him.

I think this is not in his control anymore but the drop comes more due to age, lack of motivation

I agree, he wants to try to beat players outside of slams with his C game, like he doesn't really want to get out of 2nd gear. But these guys are playing one of the biggest matches of their lives and these masters events are massive for them, he should remember how he approached them when he was 20, 21, 22....that is them now. Many will not win anything big, maybe not even a masters, so these are moments they live for.

That time of C game is over. Even with his B game the players nowadays like Fonseca, Fils are better and will beat him. Only the American mugs will get beat with his C game.

Yea, good way to put it. It's not like he doesn't care about these tournaments anymore, because you see he wasn't happy with his game and kept talking to his box, but he just can't muster up the will to find the top level to beat these lower ranked players in these, especially Indian Wells as of late. These actually mean way more to his opponents than him since most of them never won one of these.

Exactly and by end of this year the GS also will be out of reach for him.

 

[ghostofMecir]

Wow. The live odds for Alcaraz to win are -1000. That means that you have to bet 1000.00 on Alcaraz in order to profit 100.00. That is insane.

Alcaraz is 54-25 in deciding sets in a best of 3 setup. That is insane.

Edit. Alcaraz starts out with a break!

That is insane. Sinner gets even more insane live odds. You’ll see a set he’s serving at 4-5 and be at like -525 to win it which is wild.

For this match tied 2-2 in the second set, Alcaraz to win by a spread of -3.5 games was at -130 and the go-to. Wish I watered more than a unit on it.

 

[Incognito]

its not like the only thing he has is speed. Look at nadal and nadal relied much more on defense in his career and he did ok in his 30s....

Actually Rafa didn’t look ok in his 30s. The competion was so bad he got away with it.

I hope Sinner and Alcaraz face the same level of competition in their 30s as well.

 

[Incognito]

Zverev now thinks he is the king of the world with his focus on a more 'aggressive' play. Seems even more arrogant now. Hope someone brings him down to earth soon again hehe

He has developed this hatred for Sinner and Alcaraz. He was asked about players with high tennis IQ. His response was..paraphrasing..”you only need to hit the ball better than everyone on fh and bh then you can win everything. You don’t need high tennis IQ anymore”. No wonder he is still slamless.

And that comment about Alcaraz and Sinner pocketing at least 50 million each a year.

 

[Bisquick]

It’s kinda weird how guys like Arturo can give Carlitos a bit of a match as evidenced by last nights first set and their previous meetings - yet in my head I would expect someone like a Hubi style player to frustrate him a bit - but it rarely happens.