Andy Roddick gives Carlos Alcaraz verdict as he names two Indian Wells favourites
Andy Roddick believes the surface in Indian Wells “probably benefits” Carlos Alcaraz’s game the best of the ATP title contenders but feels the Spaniard is “searching for his best level right now.”
The former world No 1 identified Novak Djokovic and Jannik Sinner as the two favourites to win Indian Wells, while stressing he has “zero worries” about Alcaraz long-term.
Alcaraz is the defending champion in Indian Wells, having defeated Daniil Medvedev in the 2023 final, while he was beaten by Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals in 2022.
The world No 2 is seeking his first title since winning his second Grand Slam at the 2023 Wimbledon Championships. The Spaniard has reached one final in the 10 tournaments he has competed in since his All England Club final victory over Djokovic.
The 20-year-old will face world No 40 Matteo Arnaldi in a potentially difficult opening match in the second round of the ATP Masters 1000 event. He has not played a competitive match since suffering an ankle sprain that forced him to retire at the Rio Open last month.
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Roddick, a runner-up in Indian Wells in 2010, outlined the challenges of the gritty court surface at the tournament as he discussed the leading men’s title contenders.
“It’s a very rough surface at Indian Wells. The court feels like rubbing your hand on a piece of sandpaper,” the American told Betway.
“That cuts the ball a little bit more, but the air is thin and there’s no humidity, so the ball still travels through the air. It’s a mix of a couple of factors that seem to be working against each other.
“Alcaraz is the defending champion and the surface probably benefits his game the best, but I feel like he is searching for his best level right now.
“He hasn’t made a final since Cincinnati in August last year and hasn’t won a tournament since Wimbledon, and rolling his ankle in Rio last month won’t have helped momentum going in.
“I have zero worries about Carlos long-term, but the two favourites in Jannik Sinner – who backed up his win in Australia at the Rotterdam Open – and Novak Djokovic – who is probably the best ever on this type of surface – will have more confidence heading in.”
The 2003 US Open champion also expressed his view that streaming events are the future of tennis following the recent Netflix Slam exhibition between Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
“I was in the building doing TV for the Netflix Slam between Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday and the energy was huge. It was high drama,” Roddick said.
“Vegas is obviously a great place for that type of event and it really opened my eyes to the value that streaming could have in putting on these one-night matches.
“To be able to have that sort of exposure and choose the timing of it – at 15:30 Eastern time in the States and prime time in Spain – without being at the will of a bunch of other matches is a super advantage.
“I thought they were both trying to find form a little bit but anytime you can squeeze out a match with those tournament-like circumstances and buzz in the air, all of those feelings will be good for them moving forward.”
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