Spanish tennis faces a new reality in Indian Wells 2025, where Carlos Alcaraz is the only national representative who stands after a series of early eliminations from other compatriots.
With the withdrawal of Rafael Nadal, the Murcia has established itself as the referent of Spanish tennis, accumulating an impressive streak of titles in recent years.
Alcaraz debuts at Indian Wells in search of the triple crown
The number three in the world, who already conquered the Masters 1000 of Indian Wells in 2023 and 2024, starts its path in this edition directly in the second round, benefited by its status as second head of the series.
However, the early elimination of Alexander Zverev and the sanction of Jannik Sinner have left the Spanish in the position of maximum favorite to the title with Novak Djokovic.
His first rival in the tournament will be the French Quentin Halys, number 59 of the ATP ranking, who beat Pablo Carreño in a match complicated by the rain. It will be the first confrontation between them in the circuit, and Alcaraz starts as a great favorite to continue moving forward.
A tournament without Spanish presence beyond Alcaraz
The Indian Wells male picture has been a nightmare for Spanish tennis players. In addition to Pablo Carreño, Roberto Bautista, Roberto Carballés, Pedro Martínez, Jaume Munar and Alejandro Davidovich were also eliminated, leaving Alcaraz as the only survivor of the nine Spaniards registered in the tournament.
In the female circuit, the situation is not better. Jessica Bouzas fell into her debut and Paula Badosa could not even play due to a back injury. This panorama reinforces the dependence of Spanish tennis in Alcaraz, who continues to lead the new generation after Rafa Nadal’s golden age.
Alcaraz’s domain in Spanish tennis
Since his first title in the ATP 250 of UMAG in 2021, Carlos Alcaraz has raised 17 trophies as a professional, a figure that positions it as the pillar of current Spanish tennis. In recent years, of the 28 titles won by Spanish players in the ATP circuit, 17 have been from Murcian.
After the withdrawal of Nadal in 2024, the tournaments won by other Spanish players have been scarce. In 2023, Roberto Carballés conquered the ATP 250 of Marrakech, and in 2024, Roberto Bautista won the ATP 250 of Antwerp, being the last Spanish title achieved outside the hands of Alcaraz.
Alcaraz, with the sights in another title
With a tournament that has seen most of his compatriots fall, Carlos Alcaraz charges with the responsibility of continuing to keep the legacy of Spanish tennis in Indian Wells alive.
On his way, he will look for a third consecutive crown, a milestone that would consolidate him even more as the great world tennis star.