By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Photo credits: BNP Paribas Open Instagram
In a delightful twist, a vibrant **bee-themed** fan group propelled **Carlos Alcaraz** to thrilling heights at Indian Wells.
The two-time reigning BNP Paribas Open champ showcased his prowess by decisively defeating **Denis Shapovalov** with scores of 6-2, 6-4, which extended his impressive Indian Wells winning streak to 14 matches.
Post-match, Alcaraz highlighted how the unique energy from a fan collective dressed in bee costumes provided the uplifting atmosphere that fueled his remarkable performance.
History tells us one undeniable fact: a jubilant Alcaraz is an unstoppable force on the court.
“It’s quite amusing! They truly helped me. Throughout the entire first set, I kept glancing over at them and chuckling,” Alcaraz shared with the media. “Whenever I’m enjoying myself on the court and laughing, my gameplay shines.”
He continued, “Thanks to their presence, I was able to showcase my best tennis.”
Meanwhile, world number one **Jannik Sinner** has inspired his fans, the Carota Boys, to don carrot costumes during his matches, while former Wimbledon finalist **Sam Querrey’s** impactful performances have motivated The Samurais to show up in traditional attire. Legendary Hall of Famer **Gustavo Kuerten** also captivated audiences, giving rise to the Guga Gang—enthusiastic Brazilian fans known for their drum beats and chanting.
Alcaraz mentioned that he first noticed the Bee Hive when they appeared on the big screen during the match.
After the match, Alcaraz engaged with the bee enthusiasts.
“I didn’t realize until the second game when the camera panned to them. It was hilarious,” Alcaraz remarked. “I even took a selfie with them afterward because they deserved it.”
As he pursues a rare third consecutive title at Indian Wells, Alcaraz’s buzzing fan support comes just a year after he navigated through a breathtaking bee incident during his quarterfinal match against Alexander Zverev at the 2024 BeeNP Paribas Open.
During a serve at 1-all, 15-0, Alcaraz was taken aback as numerous bees began to dive-bomb around him.
The chair umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, got stung in the temple, jumped down from his seat, signaling Alcaraz to seek safety as they both made a hasty retreat.
“I noticed a few bees at first, but then I realized there were thousands—flying all around me, even getting stuck in my hair,” Alcaraz recalled. “It was surreal. One even bumped against me!”
“I tried to steer clear, but it was impossible—there I was, running around like a headless chicken!” he laughed.
The bees ultimately congregated on the Spydercam above the court, resembling a colony finding a new home.
The most BEE-ZARRE thing you’ll ever see!! 🐝#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/OAHe0lIMpB
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 14, 2024
“Play suspended due to a bee invasion,” the chair umpire, Lahyani, declared around 3:20 p.m. local time.
About 58 minutes later, **bee keeper Lance Davis**, sporting a “Killer Bee” shirt and equipped with only a vacuum—the “Bee Blower”—bravely approached the swarm, much to the delight of the crowd.
With Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” playing in the background, Davis ascended the stadium steps like a champion, high-fiving fans along the way as he prepared to tackle the bee challenge.
Later, the fearless bee keeper took a moment to reassure a concerned Alcaraz, chatting at the net about the status of the bee situation.
“Honestly, I’m a bit frightened of bees,” Alcaraz confessed. “They were buzzing around a lot, and it made me uneasy.”
Toughest opponent today?
🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 pic.twitter.com/aFoUDe7agb— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 15, 2024
In a fitting gesture, the brave bee keeper Davis tossed the coin before Alcaraz’s opening match, instilling a sense of bee-lief as he aimed to defend his title.
