“Whether Jannik plays or not, we try to do well in every tournament because first place is a goal.”This is what Carlos Alcaraz had to say about his rival Jannik Sinner’s doping ban. In August 2024, it was revealed that the World No.1 had tested positive for clostebol, a banned substance, and in 2025, he agreed to a 3-month ban. In his absence, Carlos Alcaraz has the chance to aim for the top spot. It may be difficult since Sinner has a comfortable lead with 11330 points, while Alcaraz lags with 7510 points. However, he is making the most of his time without Sinner giving him a tough fight as he prepares to defend his title at Indian Wells. And now, the Spaniard has also nabbed an award nomination that has snubbed Jannik Sinner.
Carlos Alcaraz has been nominated for the Laureus Awards just days after it was confirmed that Jannik Sinner’s name had been removed from the list. The Laurens Award is one of the most prestigious accolades in sports. This year is even more special as it will celebrate 25 years of the award’s legacy in a star-studded ceremony on April 21st in Madrid. Alcaraz has been nominated for the Sportsman of the Year award owing to his incredible 2024 season. The Spaniard collected the French Open title and successfully defended his Wimbledon title as well. The 21-year-old tennis star also won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, adding to his already extensive prize collection. Along with Alcaraz, pole-vaulter Armand Duplantis, French swimmer Leon Marchand, cyclist Tadej Pogacar, and F1 racer Max Verstappen have also been nominated. This is also not the first time Alcaraz has been in the running for a Laureus Award. In 2023, he won the Laureus Breakthrough Of The Year Award.
Carlos Alcaraz has been nominated for the ‘Sportsman of the Year’ award at the 2025 Laureus Awards.
In 2023, he won the Breakthrough of the Year Award.
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 3, 2025
His archrival Jannik Sinner was also in contention, however, his name was taken out due to his doping ban. Except for the doping controversy, Sinner also had a dream 2024 season. He claimed the remaining hardcourt majors – the Australian Open and the U.S Open. The Italian tennis sensation led his country to victory at the Davis Cup and sealed his dominant run with an ATP Finals win. Despite his suspension, the 23-year-old tennis player still reigns as the top ATP player in the rankings.
While Jannik Sinner will miss the Sunshine Doubles and be back for the Italian Open, Carlos Alcaraz is gearing up to defend his title at the Indian Wells tournament. Let’s find out who he will have to face this time around!
Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz on collision course at Indian Wells
Indian Wells is also known as the ‘fifth Slam’ of tennis, and Carlos Alcaraz has pulled up his socks to emerge victorious there for the third time. With Jannik Sinner missing the WTA 1000 event, Alcaraz will be the favourite to win.
The Spaniard will begin his campaign with a first-round bye. In the second round, he will face either Quentin Halys or a qualifier. The third round will see him square off against Dennis Shapovalov, a beatable opponent. The 21-year-old could meet Grigor Dimitrov or Sebastian Korda in the fourth round. If he makes it past the fourth round, he will meet his 37-year-old rival Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal. It will be a rematch of their Australian Open quarterfinal, where Djokovic prevailed in four sets. However, after his recent hamstring injury, the Serbian has is coming off a first-round exit at the Qatar Open, a first for him in seven years. Alcaraz can capitalize on this and make a run for the title.
If he wins, he will join an elite list of winners of the Indian Wells three consecutive times. It’s a club that includes greats like Roger Federer (2004-2006) and Novak Djokovic (2014-2016). Can Carlos Alcaraz take advantage of Jannik Sinner’s absence and establish his name among the elites at Indian Wells? What do you think?
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