Here’s a rewritten version of the article:
Carlos Alcaraz turned heads during his Indian Wells first-round victory over Quentin Halys (6-4, 6-2) when TV cameras caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a new tattoo on his arm, sparking curiosity with its cryptic date. The former world No. 1 has a tradition of marking his Grand Slam triumphs with ink—his collection already includes the date of his first major win at the US Open (11-09-22), a strawberry nodding to Wimbledon, and an Eiffel Tower celebrating his Roland Garros title. He also honors his grandfather with a “Three Cs” tattoo, reflecting the mantra “Cabeza, Corazón y Cojones” (“Head, Heart, and Balls”), a guiding philosophy from his childhood.
This isn’t the first time Alcaraz has teased fans at Indian Wells. Last year, after beating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round, he scribbled an “N” and “See you soon” on the camera lens—a subtle hint at his then-upcoming Netflix docuseries, tied to his participation in the Netflix Slam alongside Rafael Nadal. This time, the new tattoo—a date reading “23-4-25”—set social media abuzz with theories. It was later unveiled as a clever promotional stunt for his documentary’s premiere, slated for April 23, 2025, just a day before the Madrid Open kicks off. According to Marca, the ink was temporary, designed to fade within 36 hours, meaning it’ll be gone by the time Alcaraz returns to the court on Monday.
Currently riding a 14-match winning streak, the Spaniard is set to face Denis Shapovalov in the third round. Fresh off a DC Open title and with nine wins in his last ten matches, the Canadian poses a formidable challenge as Alcaraz aims to keep his momentum alive at Indian Wells.
