Carlos Alcaraz surpasses Novak Djokovic’s 2010-11 record, extends outdoor hard-court streak to 34

Carlos Alcaraz will be aiming to cross Pete Sampras' (34) outdoor hard-court run (1994) when he takes on Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals on Sunday.

Published on: Mar 14, 2026, 16:54:11 IST

Written by Neelav Chakravarti

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Carlos Alcaraz recently broke Novak Djokovic's record of most consecutive outdoor hard-court victories. The Serbian had a streak of 33 wins from 2010 to 2011, and Alcaraz defeated Cameron Norrie in his quarterfinal fixture of the ongoing Indian Wells Masters to make it 34 consecutive outdoor hard-court victories.

Carlos Alcaraz broke Novak Djokovic's outdoor hard-court win streak record.

The Spaniard hasn't lost an outdoor hard-court match since Miami last year. During the streak, he has also won five titles, including two Grand Slam titles.

Also Read: Novak Djokovic blames one epic point after Indian Wells loss to Jack Draper: ‘Ran completely out of gas'

Alcaraz will be aiming to cross Pete Sampras' (34) run from 1994 when he takes on Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals on Sunday. Jimmy Connors leads the list with 55 wins from 1973 to 1976, followed by Roger Federer's 46 wins between 2005 and 2006. Sampras and Alcaraz are third in the list, followed by Rod Laver (33) and Djokovic.

Alcaraz is also unbeaten this season, and this is his fifth straight Indian Wells semifinal. In the quarterfinals, he sealed a 6-3 6-4 win against Norrie.

Meanwhile, Medvedev is also in an eight-match ATP winning streak, and beat defending champion Jack Draper 6-1 7-5.

He is the current world No. 1 and won his first Australian Open title this year. He finished as the year-end No. 1 in both 2021 and 2022. He has won 26 ATP Tour-level singles titles, including seven majors and eight Masters trophies. He is also the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam in singles, having achieved it after winning the Australian Open this year.

During preseason, he parted ways with longtime coach Juan Carlos Ferrero in a shock split. In interviews since then, Ferrero revealed that it was due to a contract dispute and also blamed the player's advisors.

A coaching staff shuffle didn't have an effect as he reached the Australian Open semis without dropping a set. In the semifinals against Alexander Zverev, he won the first two sets before beginning to struggle due to cramps. He dropped the third and fourth sets in a pair of tiebreaks, but fought back to win the decider. Then, in the final, he beat Djokovic.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Neelav Chakravarti
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results. A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.Read More

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