Alcaraz Feels Like He’s Facing Federer in Every Round

Carlos Alcaraz, the world number one, expressed frustration after his third-round victory at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, stating he feels as though he is consistently facing opponents playing at the level of Roger Federer. The Spaniard defeated Arthur Rinderknech 6-7(6), 6-3, 6-2 on Monday, March 10, 2026, marking his 14th win of the season.

“Tired of Playing Federer Every Round”

Following the match, Alcaraz jokingly lamented the high level of play he encounters from his rivals. “I just sometimes get tired [of] playing Roger Federer every round,” Alcaraz said in his post-match press conference. “Sometimes [it] just feels they’re playing an insane level.” He acknowledged the pressure of being the top-ranked player, suggesting opponents are motivated to deliver their best performance against him.

Opponents Raising Their Game

Alcaraz noted that if opponents consistently played at such a high level, their rankings would reflect it. “If they play that level every match, they should be higher in the ranking,” he stated. He emphasized the need to accept this challenge and adapt his strategy accordingly, focusing on imposing his own style of play.

Bublik Agrees with Alcaraz

Alexander Bublik, ranked 11th in the world, responded to Alcaraz’s comments, expressing agreement. Bublik stated he was pleased to learn he wasn’t alone in experiencing this phenomenon. “I’m happy to know that these players are not only playing well against me,” Bublik said. “I was the only one who said it openly, and then I saw that Carlos said it too, so I’m happy that more players are expressing how they feel about the level of their opponents.”

Alcaraz’s 2026 Season

Despite the challenges, Alcaraz remains undefeated in 2026, having already secured titles at the Australian Open and an ATP 500 event in Doha. His current record stands at 14-0, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index.