Alcaraz and the consequences of getting used to winning all the time

Pedro de Pablos | 15 Mar 2026 | 13.06

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After 16 consecutive victories, Carlos Alcaraz suffered his first defeat of 2026 at the hands of Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals of the Indian Wells 2026 Masters 1000. The Russian player displayed impeccable tennis against the world number one, who has been setting record after record in the early months of the year. Nevertheless, for many, that is not enough. Why? Because he has spoiled the audience by always winning.

When a tennis player keeps winning, the alarms go off on the day they don't, as if sports were not based on that. To win and to lose. There is always a winner and a loser, and yesterday it was Alcaraz's turn to be on the losing side against Medvedev, who, for those who may not remember, is a former world number one and one of the best players on the fast court circuit. After completing the Career Grand Slam at the Australian Open (the youngest player to do so) and winning the ATP Doha, tennis sent a reminder to Alcaraz that, no matter how it may seem, nobody is invincible.

When you get used to always winning, you get that internal feeling that nobody can defeat you. The same feeling that Novak Djokovic had in 2011 or Rafael Nadal in 2022. However, every winning streak has a nemesis that puts an end to it. By hook or by crook, there are days when your opponent is better than you, no matter if you are the best player in the world. There are days when that passing shot doesn't land, days when that set point opportunity is wasted... There are days when you simply have to analyze, accept, and move forward.

May Alcaraz's anger subside quickly

Today, Carlos will watch the final of Indian Wells feeling upset, knowing that he could have extended his streak and competed for another title with Jannik Sinner. However, with time, this defeat will also serve as a lesson for what lies ahead. He had 34 straight wins on outdoor hard courts. His last loss under these conditions was in the first round of the Miami Masters 1000 against David Goffin. Rings a bell, doesn't it? It was the end of the world for many, and Alcaraz learned. Boy, did he learn. He consecutively won two Grand Slams, two ATP 500s, and a Masters 1000 on this surface.

As he himself acknowledges in his press conferences, sometimes even tired, he's the one to beat. Everyone wants to dethrone Carlos Alcaraz. He is the most media-friendly player on the circuit, the ranking leader, and, due to his style of play, the one who motivates his opponents the most. It was evident against Rinderknech, it was yesterday against Medvedev, and it will continue throughout his career. It's the burden that the best players in history carry on their shoulders. The key lies in how you take it, without seeing it as added pressure.

A misstep in the process for Carlos Alcaraz

It's not a problem for you when everyone wants to beat you, but for those who know they must play above their capabilities if they want to win the match. However, considering that Alcaraz is on the other side, sometimes that's not enough. Yesterday, luck was on Medvedev's side, but he had faced defeat in the last four encounters against the Spaniard. When there are records at stake, defeats hurt more, but they are still just defeats.

Jannik Sinner has narrowed the gap with Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells, but now Miami is up next, where the Spanish player is not defending points. He will have a few days to recharge and continue playing with the same smile that he carries into every match, whether things go well or not. Because Carlos's key to success is that he enjoys being on the court even when the storm seems insurmountable, and that is what allows him to bounce back after defeats like yesterday's. It's okay to get used to always winning, just as it's okay to accept that sometimes you have to take a misstep during the process.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Alcaraz y las consecuencias de malacostumbrarse a ganar siempre

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