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Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz dismissed the idea that the pressure of maintaining his undefeated 2026 season led to his Indian Wells semifinal exit.
He instead praised Daniil Medvedev’s “unreal” performance.
Following his 6–3, 7–6 defeat, the 22-year-old Spaniard insisted that his 16-match winning streak was the last thing on his mind.
He noted that while being the top target in men’s tennis can be mentally taxing, his primary challenge is the “insane level” his opponents consistently reach when facing him.
The world number one admitted that Medvedev played at a standard he had never seen from the Russian before, making it difficult to find a rhythm.
Alcaraz, who had recently secured titles in Melbourne and Qatar, explained that he has learned to tune out external expectations of perfection.
He emphasised that his mindset remains focused on his personal goals and playing for his team rather than the public pressure to win every match.
Despite the loss, Alcaraz remains optimistic about the season ahead as he prepares for the Miami Open.
He noted that every tournament is a new opportunity to reset and move toward the targets he set at the start of the year.
Accepting the reality of having a “target on his back,” Alcaraz hopes to keep his focus on his own development rather than the statistics of his win-loss record.
