Carlos Alcaraz likes “playing with wind”—and it shows in Indian Wells rout of Grigor Dimitrov

A friendly reminder to future competitors facing Carlos Alcaraz in breezy conditions: the four-time major winner doesn’t shy away from wind, he welcomes any gusts that come his way.

Grigor Dimitrov experienced a taste of that Wednesday night when the two-time defending Indian Wells champion dominated their fourth-round encounter, 6-1, 6-1.

Alcaraz signed the on-court camera afterwards, “Windy?? Yes!” with a big smiley to cap his message.

The world No. 3 had lost his last two meetings to Dimitrov, including in last year’s Miami Open quarterfinals when the Bulgarian put together his own comprehensive display. Alcaraz was left feeling like a “13-year-old” on that occasion, but he humbled his opponent this time around in part by embracing the conditions in play.

The 21-year-old reached game point in all 14 played against Dimitrov, converting five breaks and finishing in the green with 20 winners to 14 unforced errors. Alcaraz also served well with the elements, taking 30 of 40 points overall while holding in all seven of his trips to the line.

“I always say that I like playing with wind, with these conditions. I think I adapt really well,” he told press.

“I think to play with such a huge wind is to believe in your physical conditions and to believe that you're going to reach every ball. That's what I thought in the match. I think Grigor plays more aggressively with less time, so I think that's why I adapt much better in these conditions in today's match.”

With the victory, Alcaraz has now won the last 15 times he’s stepped out at the BNP Paribas Open. The secret? He’s finding paradise everywhere he looks—on the court, with those he’s closest to and at the links.

“I love (it) here, because I have time to spend with my team, with my family, for myself, as well,” he said. “I love playing golf. I think here is the paradise of golf. I try to have time to play golf and turn off my mind. That help me a lot then to play good tennis.”

Francisco Cerundolo, the No. 25 seed, awaits in the quarterfinals. The two squared off for the first time last June on grass, with Alcaraz taking their clash at the Queen’s Club in London.

“I don't know which surface is his favorite, if clay or hard court. He plays really well on both. Even grass, too,” commented the No. 2 seed. “That means he's a complete player.”

Cerundolo knocked out ninth-seeded Alex de Minaur, 7-5, 6-3.