Before taking the court at the Indian Wells Masters 1000, where he has previously emerged victorious in 2023 and 2024, tennis prodigy Carlos Alcaraz is set to face off Frances Tiafoe in an exhibition match in Puerto Rico today. Both the Spanish sensation and the American ace relish these no-pressure encounters and have squared off in a similar setting in Charlotte in December 2024.
Alcaraz, the 21-year-old wunderkind from Murcia, has frequently come under fire for opting to participate in numerous exhibition matches throughout the season. However, his long-time mentor and coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, has staunchly defended his protégé’s choices.
Alcaraz’s performance in the initial two months of the new season has been a mixed bag. He clinched the title in Rotterdam in February, but his early exits at the Australian Open and in Doha have raised eyebrows. The four-time Grand Slam champion advanced to the quarterfinals in both Melbourne and Qatar, but given his talent, more is expected from him.
The former world No.1 was halted in his tracks by Serbian titan Novak Djokovic in the first Major of 2025, despite Djokovic nursing a left thigh injury. He was also ousted by the rising Czech star Jiri Lehecka in Doha.
With his sights set on the first two Masters 1000 of the season—Indian Wells and Miami—Alcaraz is looking to achieve impressive results, potentially aided by the absence of his key rival Jannik Sinner, who is serving a three-month suspension following an agreement with WADA.
However, before zeroing in on the ‘BNP Paribas Open’, Alcaraz is indulging in some light-hearted fun in Puerto Rico, gearing up for an exciting match.
“This match serves multiple purposes, including promoting tennis in this region, as many youngsters here are unable to travel widely due to various constraints. Had I not had some Spanish role models during my formative years, I might not have realized my dream,” Alcaraz candidly admitted during a press conference.
The event is already generating massive interest, with over 15,000 tickets already snapped up. It is anticipated that the ‘Puerto Rico Coliseum’ will be reverberating with an electrifying atmosphere.