“No Wonder Draper Got You”- Indian Wells Heartbreak Turns Sour as Fans Call Out Carlos Alcaraz for Off-Court Distractions
Carlos Alcaraz Faces Fan Backlash Over Golfing During Indian Wells
Rafael Nadal once described his perfect day as playing a round of golf in the morning, and he’s not alone—many tennis stars turn to golf as a way to unwind. World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz is no exception. The young Spaniard has a keen interest in the sport, and Indian Wells is one of his favorite places to hit the green. However, after his recent semifinal exit at the BNP Paribas Open, some fans believe he’s spending too much time on the golf course—perhaps at the cost of his tennis.
Alcaraz’s Streak Ends as Fans Question His Priorities
Alcaraz’s impressive 16-match winning streak at Indian Wells came to an end in a thrilling three-set battle against Britain’s Jack Draper, who defeated him 6-1, 0-6, 6-4. This loss not only dashed Alcaraz’s hopes of completing a three-peat at the tournament but also made Draper just the third player—alongside Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal—to defeat him at the event.
Draper was surprised by Alcaraz’s performance, calling it “a strange match.” He noted, “Carlos came out a bit flat, I sensed that.” Alcaraz himself admitted to feeling unusually nervous, stating in his post-match press conference, “I was more worried about his level, his game, than myself… When you’re thinking more about the opponent than yourself, then it is a big problem.”
Following the loss, Alcaraz shared a series of pictures from his time at Indian Wells on Instagram, captioning them:
“Indian Wells from my camera roll! 📸☝🏻”
Among the images were photos of him playing golf, which caught the attention of fans—and not in a good way.
Golfing in the Middle of a Tournament? Fans Aren’t Happy
While some fellow tennis stars, like Andy Murray, praised Alcaraz’s putting technique (“Respect the putting mirror 👏”), many fans weren’t as amused. Some took to the comments to question his commitment, with one writing, “What are you doing man? Focus.” Another bluntly stated, “No wonder Draper got you. Less golf, more tennis, Carlito.”
It’s not unusual for tennis players to enjoy golf—Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, and many others have spoken about how it helps them relax. Alcaraz has even said, “Golf turns off my mind a little bit… It’s something that I love to play and learn.”
However, with his form dipping, fans are less forgiving. One wrote, “Get to play with your head and stop with the golf nonsense.” Another criticized him for being more of a social media personality than a focused athlete, saying, “Influencer rather than tennis player! That’s why the results are not coming anymore…”
Can Alcaraz Bounce Back in Miami?
Despite the criticism, Alcaraz remains optimistic about his connection with Indian Wells, once calling it “the paradise of golf.” He insists that the sport helps him clear his mind and perform better on the court. However, fans believe he should rethink his timing. One user summed it up: “Bro was practicing the wrong sport.”
Next, Alcaraz heads to the 2025 Miami Open, a tournament he won in 2022. Interestingly, the last time he lost in the Indian Wells semifinals, he went on to win the Miami title. Will history repeat itself, or will the distractions continue? Fans will be watching closely.
