Carlos Alcaraz continued his winning ways at Indian Wells 2024 after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round. After his match, he signed the camera with a message that left fans guessing. Many believed the Spaniard hinted at facing Novak Djokovic in the tournament.
After a straightforward 6-2, 6-3 victory over Auger-Aliassime, Alcaraz signed the camera lens. He wrote the letter ‘N’, following it up with ‘See you soon’. This sent fans on X (formerly Twitter) into a tizzy as they went wild guessing who the World No.2 referred to.
Most X users opined Carlos Alcaraz was issuing a challenge to Novak Djokovic. The 20-year-old has often been said to be obsessed with the Serbian, making remarks about wanting to catch up with him. Alcaraz’s coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero had to clarify in an interview with Tennis365 a few months ago, that his ward was not singularly focused only on Djokovic.
Now, Alcaraz’s act of signing the lens for ‘N’ has fans claiming he is still hung up about playing Djokovic. Many popular tennis accounts picked up the video and shared it with their followers.
Carlos Alcaraz signs the camera after beating Aliassime at Indian Wells:
“N. See you soon!” pic.twitter.com/MuhArJOTcF
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) March 10, 2024
Alcaraz did not allay the claims, instead, he followed it up with a single-letter post on X. While he may have meant to take a sarcastic dig at the hysteria his message caused, the post further fuelled fans beliefs.
N
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) March 10, 2024
Tennis fans think Carlos Alcaraz called out Novak Djokovic
As tennis accounts with huge following spread the clip on the internet, fans got down to guessing who Alcaraz was referring to with the text. While some joked around or believed he was paying tribute to Nadal, the majority claimed he was talking about Djokovic.
Easy – „Nole”. You are welcome
— Jan Jałowczyk (@JJalowczyk) March 10, 2024
He’s hinting at Novak Djokovic
Be careful what you wish for but I appreciate his determination and belief ❤️
Vamos— Tennis Couch Talk (@tennis_cou94540) March 10, 2024
I can confirm he’s speaking about Novak https://t.co/Mn2mFpItkZ
— khanyi and 143 others (@khanyisile____) March 10, 2024
Novak for sure https://t.co/9vcBfuy2mv
— Kintsugi. (@ivxvck) March 11, 2024
Novak! He is challenging Novak. He believes he will see Novak in the final.
— lemon (@MHJEMH) March 11, 2024
Alcaraz’s camera signature said “N see you soon”. Surely he isn’t referring to Novak?
— Sah. (@Erdogan44) March 10, 2024
He’s calling you out @DjokerNole https://t.co/JOHutdPfUn
— Matt Levinson (@MattLevinson) March 11, 2024
I suppose Nole! He wants to return n.1!
— baby72 (@baby72cb) March 11, 2024
Some fans went further to refute that Carlos Alcaraz was hinting at Rafael Nadal. They claimed since the two Spaniards are good friends, he would have used the term ‘Rafa’ to refer to the 22-time Grand Slam winner. Hence, as per them, ‘N’ meant Novak Djokovic.
Nole definitely. He would call Nadal simply “Rafa”. No need to raise debate.
— Thais Chalmers (@thaischalmers) March 11, 2024
Everyone speculating if “N” is Nadal or Novak. I don’t think Carlos would call his good friend Nadal “N”, he’d call him “R” for Rafa.
More likely “N” means Novak.— Jeff the Nemophilist* ☘ (@JeffMNeale) March 10, 2024
Even as fans keep guessing, Alcaraz will be focused on continuing his title defence at the Indian Wells 2024. He will face Fabian Marozsan in the fourth round. If he wins, he will come across either Alex de Minaur or Alexander Zverev in what will surely be a cracking quarter-final.
