Few players understand the pressure of sustaining a historic winning run better than Novak Djokovic. The Serbian legend began the 2011 season with an extraordinary 41-match winning streak, one of the most remarkable stretches in tennis history. Now, as Carlos Alcaraz builds momentum of his own, Djokovic believes the young Spaniard has the tools to chase that milestone.

Alcaraz, who improved to 13-0 in 2026 with a convincing win over Grigor Dimitrov at the Indian Wells Open, had earlier reflected on Djokovic’s famous streak. The world No. 1 admitted that the scale of such an achievement only becomes clear when a player begins approaching those numbers themselves.

“I’m gonna say you don’t realize how difficult it is until you’re chasing that,” Alcaraz said. “All right, 41 is not that much, but then you’re like on 12, and it’s like four or five more tournaments, the biggest tournaments in the world. You realize and you feel like how impressive it is.”

After defeating Kamil Majchrzak in his own Indian Wells opener, Novak Djokovic was asked whether Alcaraz could realistically match the feat. The 24-time Grand Slam champion didn’t hesitate to back the Spaniard. “He can do it,” Djokovic said. “He has everything that you need to have in terms of the game, in terms of the adaptability to different surfaces, and the level of fitness and recovery that he has shown and matured over the years.”

However, Djokovic emphasized that maintaining physical health would be crucial for any player attempting such a run. “He needs to keep his body healthy. If he keeps his body healthy, he's so good that he can win any tournament he plays on. So you never know. He's been doing some historic things in our sport for such a young age,” he added.

The Serbian also reflected on how demanding extended winning streaks can be, even for the best players in the world. Novak Djokovic himself has enjoyed multiple dominant stretches, including 26 straight wins to start the 2020 season and 28 victories in a row during 2016.

“But winning 40-plus matches… it's demanding,” Djokovic said. “At the same time, when you’re riding that wave of victories, you don’t want to let it go. The confidence keeps growing, and every match you feel stronger.”

Novak Djokovic ultimately wished the Spaniard continued success, praising his impact on the sport. “I wish him many more victories. I think he's great for our sport, and what he's been doing is remarkable.”

Both stars began their campaigns strongly in the California desert. Alcaraz produced a commanding performance to defeat Dimitrov 6-2, 6-3, extending his winning run and looking comfortable despite windy conditions. Djokovic also advanced after a hard-fought three-set victory over Majchrzak. What did they say about their winning start at Indian Wells?

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz share thoughts about their opening round wins

The opening rounds at the Indian Wells Open delivered contrasting but impressive wins for two of the sport’s biggest stars. Novak Djokovic battled through a tricky start before rallying past Kamil Majchrzak 4-6, 6-1, 6-2, while Carlos Alcaraz produced a commanding performance to defeat Grigor Dimitrov and extend his winning streak this season.

Djokovic admitted it was far from an easy start in the windy California desert. The 38-year-old struggled early in his first match since losing the Australian Open final to Alcaraz but gradually found his rhythm as the match progressed. “It has been very challenging lately for me in Indian Wells,” Djokovic said in his on-court interview. “It has been hard for me to find my A-game, particularly at the beginning of the tournament in the past seven or eight years. I am glad to overcome a challenge.”

The Serbian praised Majchrzak’s performance in the opening set and explained how he managed to turn things around after resetting his game. “Kamil is a very solid player. He doesn't have tremendous power, but he has every shot in the book, and he was not afraid to come in and take the ball early. He played a great first set. I reset and started to feel better, and the crowd was amazing.” 

Djokovic eventually closed out the match after two hours and 12 minutes and improved to 7-1 this season, becoming the second-oldest man to reach the third round at Indian Wells after Ivo Karlovic in 2019. He will next face Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Meanwhile, Alcaraz looked far more comfortable in his opener, showcasing the same dominant form that helped him win the Australian Open and the Doha ATP 500 earlier this year. The two-time Indian Wells champion extended his winning streak to 13 matches with a confident display from the baseline despite difficult wind conditions. 

“I knew it was going to be difficult with the conditions,” Alcaraz said. “His style is really, really dangerous, and it’s always tough to control the ball when he steps on the court, and he’s hitting his shots. With the wind today, it was even tougher, and I think I adapted my game better, and that’s why I took the match.”

The world No. 1 looked relaxed throughout the 66-minute contest and emphasized how much he enjoys playing in the California desert. “I love playing here. I love being here so, so much,” he said. “I think that’s why I’m playing relaxed, playing calm, chilling, trying to enjoy every time I step on the court.” Alcaraz, who now leads Dimitrov 5-2 in their head-to-head meetings, will next face Arthur Rinderknech in the third round after the Frenchman received a walkover when Juan Manuel Cerundolo withdrew with a left leg injury. 

Who, between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, do you think has a bigger chance of winning the title at Indian Wells this year?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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