Carlos Alcaraz makes feelings clear on No.1 ranking goal after Alexander Zverev suffers early exit at Indian Wells

World No.3 Carlos Alcaraz is bidding to win three consecutive Indian Wells titles to join Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic.

Carlos Alcaraz makes feelings clear on No.1 ranking goal after Alexander Zverev suffers early exit at Indian Wells

Carlos Alcaraz (Image via ATP/X)

Carlos Alcaraz has been inching closer to reclaim the No.1 position on the rankings table. On Saturday (March 8), he beat Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-2 to kickstart his Indian Wells campaign.

A day before Alcaraz’s match, World No.2 Alexander Zverev succumbed to a 4-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(4) defeat to an unseeded Tallon Griekspoor. Zverev, it seems, has suffered a slump in his form since his Australian Open final defeat to Jannik Sinner, for he has gotten knocked out of three events without progressing to the semifinals.

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The World No.1 has been given a three-month doping ban by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) due to which he’s not participating in Indian Wells. His ban is an opportunity for both Zverev and Alcaraz to dethrone him from the top position.

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But Sascha is no longer thinking about the No.1 goal as he admitted that he’s “playing terribly“ and is rather focused on regaining his form. Alcaraz too doesn’t want to think about the rankings, as his goal is to focus more on his performance.

Well, it’s something that…it is in the mind, but I’m not really focusing on it. Because in every tournament, I just focus on myself, I focus on, okay, I really want to play good tennis, I am focused on how I can be better, better player. You know, if I’m doing the right things in every tournament, the No. 1 is gonna come after.

Carlos Alcaraz said at the press conference

Where do Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Alexander Zverev sit on the ATP live rankings?

Jannik Sinner comfortably sits on the top with 11,330 points for the time being. Following an incredible 2024 season that saw the Italian lift eight ATP titles, including the Australian Open, US Open, and the ATP Finals, Sinner carried his form to the 2025 season.

Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz
L-R: Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via ATP/X)

He ended Alexander Zverev’s quest for his first Grand Slam title with a straight-set win in the Australian Open final, eventually increasing his lead in the rankings table. Zverev, who last won a title in Paris in November last year, is 7,945 in the live rankings.

If he fails to capitalize on this opportunity, Carlos Alcaraz, with 6,560 points in the live rankings, will inch closer to topple him from the second position. The 21-year-old, who will meet 27th seed Denis Shapovalov in the Indian Wells third round, will need to win a few more tournaments to replace Sinner.

The three-time Grand Slam champion will be allowed to participate in ATP-sanctioned events only after May 4. He may make his comeback at the Italian Open, which starts on May 7.