Alcaraz: Aiming for Revenge vs. “Gladiator” Norrie

By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open

INDIAN WELLS—Carlos Alcaraz and Cameron Norrie stand near shoulder-to-shoulder inside Stadium 2.

Tomorrow night, the former Indian Wells’ champions will face off in Stadium 1 for a semifinal spot in the BNP Paribas Open.

World No. 1 Alcaraz is aiming to avenge his 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 loss to Norrie at the Rolex Paris Masters last October.

In that match, Norrie’s disorienting attack drained 54 unforced errors from the Spanish superstar as he scored his first-ever win over a reigning No. 1.

Murals of Norrie and Alcaraz share the same wall in the 200-level section of Stadium 2. Alcaraz said he expects another tight test against the British left-hander on Thursday night.

“Really difficult one against Cam, great battles I have against him,” Alcaraz said after defeating Casper Ruud 6-1, 7-6(2), in today’s rematch of the 2022 US Open final. “The last one I just lost against him, so I just really wanted to take the revenge.

“Let’s see how it’s gonna be. Really looking forward to playing tomorrow.”

Facing the combination of Norrie’s flat two-handed backhand and his heavy topspin forehand has caused some confusion for Alcaraz in the past.

In fact, Norrie has beaten Alcaraz in two of their last three meetings though the Spaniard leads the head-to-head series, 5-3, overall.

The two-time Indian Wells champion said Norrie goes gladiator mode each time they play and he must match the former TCU standout’s intensity from the first ball.

“I would say lefties always tricky to play against, I would say. Just the way he can change the, you
know, I’m gonna say the height of the ball,” Alcaraz said. “He has a really flat backhand and really topspin forehand. So you can be a little bit confused sometimes with how it’s gonna come, the ball, to you.

“He’s a gladiator. You know, he’s a real fighter, fighting every ball, every game, every set. So it’s really difficult to, you know, when you’re facing someone like never give up any point or any ball.”