Carlos Alcaraz’s Failed Quest for a Historic Three-Peat at Indian Wells

The youngest world No. 1 in tennis history had the chance to cement his name among the tennis greats at just 22 years old. It sounds incredible, but Carlos Alcaraz had the opportunity to turn it into reality at Indian Wells. The brilliant Carlitos could have won three consecutive Indian Wells titles, joining Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer as the only players to achieve this goal.

Indian Wells 2025 is behind us, and Carlos Alcaraz failed to the pressure despite being the clear favorite, especially after Jannik Sinner’s suspension and Novak Djokovic’s early exit. He started the tournament with a dominant performance against Denis Shapovalov, then destroyed Grigor Dimitrov and Francisco Cerundolo in the third and fourth rounds. Given how he had played in the past two years – Carlitos seemed unstoppable against the remaining competition.

Alcaraz’s Indian  Wells Triumphs

As a reminder, Alcaraz defeated Medvedev in the last two Indian Wells finals, and after the early exits of his biggest threats, many expected to see their battle again, for the third year in a row. There’s no need to emphasize how much stronger the competition was in previous years, yet Carlos had claimed the trophy with relative ease. Both times, he dominated in the final, securing straight-set victories (2-0). 

With Sinner suspended and Djokovic and Zverev making shocking early exits, it seemed that Indian Wells 2025 was unfolding entirely in favor of Carlos Alcaraz. This was a golden opportunity for him to join the ranks of the greatest players ever to play the sport – though, by the end of his career, he will almost certainly achieve that in multiple ways.

Recent Form: A Prelude to Indian Wells

The Spanish star kicked off the 2025 season at the Australian Open, losing to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals after a four-set battle. In February, he debuted at the ABN AMRO Open and claimed his first title of the season, becoming the first Spaniard to win the tournament in Rotterdam.

After struggling with fatigue and injuries following the 2024 Olympic Games, Alcaraz has made an impressive comeback. He is already regaining the form that made him the youngest world number 1 in tennis history. The level required to win the title was undoubtedly there, and a favorable draw has made his path even smoother.

As we’ve already highlighted, Carlos Alcaraz was the top favorite to lift the Indian Wells 2025 trophy, and bookmakers seemed almost sure he would secure another title. In the discussion about who could disrupt the plans after Sinner’s suspension, everyone mentioned Djokovic, Medvedev, and Zverev as Alcaraz’s biggest threats.

Alcaraz’s Indian Wells 2025 journey

After Jannik Sinner’s suspension, everyone expected a new Carlos Alcaraz vs Novak Djokovic battle at Indian Wells. However, Van de Zandschulp disrupted those plans, dealing a considerable blow to Novak and doing a massive favor for the tournament favorites – especially Alcaraz, who has struggled against him in recent matches.

The defending champion won the second round with a dominant win against Shapovalov and faced Grigor Dimitrov in the third round. After yet another display, Francisco Cerundolo fell victim in the fourth round. From the start of the tournament, everyone had hoped for a semifinal clash between Alcaraz and Medvedev, but those plans were spoiled by the phenomenal Jack Draper. 

Neither Jack nor Carlitos had dropped a set until their semifinal clash where we enjoyed 1 hour and 45 minutes of high-intensity tennis, where the British player handled the pressure better and defeated Carlos 2-1. Historic opportunity slipped away for the young Spaniard, while Jack Draper fully deserved his title, securing victory over Holger Rune with a 2-0 win in the final. 

Indian Wells Sponsorships and Rewards

Indian Wells has a long history as one of the most prestigious and widely followed tournaments on the ATP and WTA tours. Thanks to its popularity and strong sponsorship backing, it ranks among the most significant non-Grand Slam events, nicknamed “the fifth Grand Slam”. This year, the tournament expanded its sponsorship deals beyond the US, further proving its global appeal.

A great example of Indian Wells’ worldwide reach is its successful partnership with Kim Crawford Wines from New Zealand, where the tournament enjoys significant popularity, with every point followed with passion. Who knows, given the rising intersection between tennis viewership and the gambling industry, maybe one of them will become a sponsor of Indian Wells. For tennis and adrenaline enthusiasts, top New Zealand casinos could offer an added layer of excitement with the potential chance to make some extra money. Gambling sponsors will try to stand out from the competition with their offers and promotions, and globally popular tournaments like Indian Wells are the perfect opportunity for that. 

They will certainly find a large number of users who enjoy online casino games along with tennis betting. They help a tournament financially, and that is the reason why these partnership strategies are a win-win for both sides. 

Online casinos, like Kim Crawford Wines, gain exposure, while Indian Wells benefits from increased funding opportunities. Rolex, BMW, Hologic, Fila, and Emirates are proof that successful sponsorships in the tennis world can last for over a decade. These leading sponsors are one of the main reasons why Indian Wells is such a highly followed and respected tennis tournament.

Anticipation Builds

From the very beginning of the Indian Wells tournament, all eyes were on the historic three-peat opportunity that Carlitos had. At just 22 years old, the phenomenal Spanish player seemed unable to handle the pressure that came with this achievement. However, he is still very young and will quickly move on from this missed opportunity, focusing on the tournaments ahead.

There’s nothing to regret – over the years, Alcaraz has become one of the biggest inspirations in sports and a true role model for younger generations. According to BNP Paribas Open 2025 predictions, analysts and fans were almost certain he would lift the trophy. This tournament was Jack Draper’s moment, proving to the fans that the new generation isn’t just about Sinner and Alcaraz.