Carlos Alcaraz says he will try "not to think" about the possibility of joining Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in the Indian Wells Masters history books but admits he would absolutely love to join the two tennis giants in emulating a notable record.
After reaching the BNP Paribas Open semifinal as an 18-year-old teenager in 2022, the Spaniard went on to win back-to-back titles in the desert in 2023 and 2024.
This year, he is seeded at No. 2 - and since Jannik Sinner is not competing because he is serving a doping suspension - the general belief is that the 21-year-old is the top favorite for the title.
If Alcaraz wins his third consecutive Indian Wells title, he will become only the third player to pull that off.
In the past, Federer completed the first three-peat at the tournament between 2004 and 2006 before Djokovic also put up three triumphant runs in a row between 2014 and 2016.
Alcaraz: I'm here to take that pressure but I will try not to think about that
"Well, I know that this is something that only two players have done in the history, I think," the 21-year-old said when asked about the prospect of doing something that only Federer and Djokovic had done previously in Indian Wells.
"So I'm here to take, I mean, to take that pressure, let's say. I will try not to think about it. I will try just to enjoy it...
"Everything for me here is so easy. So all I'm thinking is to enjoy this tournament. I'm waiting the whole year just to come back here.
"So I will try not to think about it. Just flow and see how it's going to be, the tournament. But it is something that for me would be great to achieve."
En route to achieving the feat, Alcaraz may have to beat Djokovic since they are projected to meet in the quarterfinal.
