Carlos Alcaraz addresses the ‘new service mechanics’ he is working on before the start of the Australian Open

As Carlos Alcaraz aims for a three-peat at Indian Wells, he feels he is close to being a 'serve-bot'.

Carlos Alcaraz addresses the ‘new service mechanics’ he is working on before the start of the Australian Open

Carlos Alcaraz (via X)

The Media Day of Indian Wells 2025 kicked off with the presence of some of the best players on the circuit in the press room. World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz, champion here in the last two editions, among many things talked about his new serve.

The Spaniard will be eyeing a three-peat, a feat that only Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer have accomplished. He has made some changes to his service this season, which has been reflected in his performance this year. Earlier at the Australian Open, after racking up 14 aces during his second round win against Yoshihito Nishioka, Alcaraz signed off on the camera and left a hilarious message asking if he was a ‘serve bot’.

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I’m still at it, still practicing, still improving. I feel good with the change, it’s been a great improvement in the serve. I need to keep believing in the new service mechanics, as well as my second serve, which is very good and solid right now. The first serve could be better, honestly. Every day matters in this process, although many times you don’t feel as you want, so you have to distance yourself a bit. If the service isn’t working at all, for example, then you can play good tennis from the baseline and forget about it. Right now, I feel great, I’m happy, I guess I’m close to being a serve-bot.

Carlos Alcaraz said at the Indian Wells presser

Though Carlos Alcaraz could not make it past the semi-finals after facing defeat from Novak Djokovic, he had an incredible run at his next tournament, the Rotterdam Open. He clinched his first indoor title at this tournament, defeating Alex de Minaur in the finals.

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Alcaraz then competed at the Qatar Open, however he lost to Jiri Lehecka in the quarterfinals. After his run at Doha, Alcaraz played an exhibition match at Puerto Rico before heading to the Indian Wells.

Carlos Alcaraz speaks about the importance of enjoying being on court

Carlos Alcaraz also spoke about the importance of being happy and enjoying the time on court. He believes that his best tennis comes not when he’s particularly focused on the result or about improving his game but when he is enjoying being on court.

Carlos Alcaraz Serve Bot
Carlos Alcaraz asks if he is a ‘serve bot’ (via X)

Alcaraz expressed that he is ready to handle that pressure of competing for a three-peat, although he’ll try not to think about it. He aims to enjoy the tournament, as he has always done when he came to play here.

Over time, I’ve realized that when I enjoy being on the court, it’s when I show my best tennis. That’s all I think about, to go out and enjoy. Sometimes I lose focus and think more about the result, about needing to win that tournament or needing to perform well, that’s when I forget the most important thing: showing my joy to the fans.

Carlos Alcaraz added

Along with Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek the previous year’s champion, is also aiming for a third title at Indian Wells. If she does so, Swiatek will become the first woman to win three titles at the Indian Wells. This tournament also marks the return to tour of the Australian Open 2025 champion Madison Keys.