Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz given Indian Wells hope from rival Jannik Sinner

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz will be vying to end Jannik Sinner’s winning streak in Indian Wells.

Jannik Sinner has offered some hope to the likes of Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz as he insisted that he isn’t “unbeatable”. The world No. 3 is yet to lose a match this year, sweeping titles at the Australian Open and Rotterdam, and is already off to a strong start in Indian Wells. But he has insisted that it is possible to defeat him after extending his match-winning streak to 16 in a row.

Sinner has been unstoppable so far this season. He got off to a strong start by winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian Open and managed to end Djokovic’s six-year unbeaten run in Melbourne when they faced off in the semi-final.

The Italian backed it up by lifting the title in Rotterdam and now sits at a career-high of No. 3 in the world. Arriving in Indian Wells as the man to beat, he made a statement by defeating Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-3 6-0 in his opening match. It sent a clear message to Djokovic and Alcaraz, who will be hoping to end Sinner’s run this fortnight.

And Sinner himself believes that he can be beaten, as he explained that his results don’t necessarily mean that he is impenetrable. “I’m not unbeatable. I’m just well-prepared,” the 22-year-old declared after his victory in the Californian desert.

Jannik Sinner defeated Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open (Image: Getty)

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“You know, I worked really hard to be in this position. Obviously it’s a position where, you know, you dream of because, you know, winning a Grand Slam, that’s I think everyone’s dream, but in the other way, you know, you travel here, the conditions are different and then you have to find a way somehow.”

The 12-time title winner admitted that the conditions can be tough in Indian Wells, though he tried to tackle that issue by arriving early to try and adjust. He added: “We came here earlier trying to prepare it.

“I felt better day after day. As we saw today it can be breezy, and then it stops. You know,, you have to see the situation and then trying to be ready.” It offers some solace for Sinner’s rivals, as Djokovic looks to get revenge for his Australian Open defeat by winning his first title of the year while Alcaraz attempts to defend the trophy.

Carlos Alcaraz is the defending champion in Indian Wells (Image: Getty)

Even though Sinner doesn’t agree that he is unstoppable, he is well aware of his impressive winning streak and is up for the challenge of trying to keep it going. “Yeah, because they tell me all the time,” the Italian smiled when asked whether he knew how many matches he’d won.

“But in the other way, as I said, for sure you have confidence, yes. But the other way, as I said before, it can go fast to go in the wrong way. I just try to keep it as long as possible. Maybe it’s over in two days; maybe not. We cannot predict the future.

“As I always say, we live in the present moment. Tomorrow I have one day off or I play doubles and then trying to prepare for the next singles match. The opponents, they know me much better now, so I have to be prepared. I think that’s also an exciting part where what I live in.”