![\"Carlos](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/alcaraz-iw-2026-r3-reaction.jpg\")
<\/p>\n Match Reaction
\n Alcaraz jokes he\u2019s \u2018playing Federer every round\u2019 after Indian Wells win<\/p>\n
Spaniard is 14-0 on the season<\/p>\n
March 10, 2026<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
ATP Tour<\/p>\n
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Arthur Rinderknech in three sets on Monday in Indian Wells.
\n By Sam Jacot<\/p>\n
Carlos Alcaraz<\/a> has grown accustomed to opponents bringing their best when they face him. But after battling past Arthur Rinderknech<\/a> on Monday at the BNP Paribas Open<\/a> in Indian Wells, the Spaniard had a humorous way of describing the challenge.<\/p>\n \u201cI just sometimes get tired [of] playing Roger Federer<\/a> every round,\u201d Alcaraz said in his post-match press conference. \u201cSometimes [it] just feels they’re playing an insane level.\u201d\n<\/p>\n World No. 28 Rinderknech struck 17 winners to clinch the opening set against Alcaraz on a tie-break, before the No. 1 player in the PIF ATP Rankings rallied and raised his level further to earn a 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2 victory.<\/p>\n For Alcaraz, the experience is becoming familiar, with opponents swinging freely, playing their best tennis with little to lose.<\/p>\n \u201cIf they play that level every match, they should be higher in the ranking,” Alcaraz said. “But it is obviously something that concerns me. When I’m just playing, I think about that. All I can do is just accept it, keep it going, trying to do different things in the match.<\/p>\n \u201cTrying to not to let him be aggressive or play his style. Put my style, my tennis, my level into the match and try to turn around the things that way I try to do. But obviously, the first thing is just accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the challenges, Alcaraz is 14-0 on the season, according to the Infosys ATP Win\/Loss Index, highlighted by titles at the Australian Open<\/a> and at the ATP 500 event in Doha. Alcaraz believes the phenomenon may simply come with the territory of being World No. 1.\n<\/p>\n \u201cI feel like I have a target on my back, and I feel like if they don’t play that kind of tennis, they can’t win, or it is what I think they could think,\u201d Alcaraz further explained.<\/p>\n![\"\u201cATP\"\/](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/1767418027_359_atp-no-1-club-banner-article.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n