Buzzing with Joy: Alcaraz Celebrates in Style with Bee Costume
The Spaniard makes a whimsical reference to the 2024 Indian Wells bee incident.
March 13, 2026
Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Alcaraz brings humor to his quarter-final win by sporting a bee costume.
By Sam Jacot
Back in 2024, during Carlos Alcaraz’s quarter-final at the BNP Paribas Open, an unexpected swarm of bees created quite the stir.
Fast forward to Thursday night, and the Spaniard embraced this quirky memory by wearing a bee costume after conquering Cameron Norrie, much to the delight of fans who had also come dressed for the occasion.
In Stadium 1, a dedicated group of supporters donned full bee outfits and tossed one of the costumes onto the court, encouraging Alcaraz to embrace the moment. The world No. 1 happily complied, slipping into the outfit to the thunderous cheers of the audience before making his exit from Indian Wells.
“I was with the fans at the end of the match, and they brought me a bee costume, chanting ‘Wear it! Wear it!’ So, how could I refuse?” Alcaraz shared. “They cheered for me from the first point to the last. It was too fun not to do.”
On the court, Alcaraz delivered a focused performance against Norrie, securing his spot in the Indian Wells semi-finals for the fifth consecutive year. At just 22 years old, the two-time champion now holds a 6-3 edge over Norrie in their Lexus ATP Head2Head matchups.
In a masterclass that lasted one hour and 33 minutes, the Spaniard showcased his signature drop shots, a hallmark of his ascent to stardom. When asked about the top drop shots on tour, Alcaraz had a few names in mind.
“I can think of a few. Moutet has an incredible drop shot and fantastic touch. But I’m particularly fond of Djokovic’s backhand drop shot—it’s exquisite. Dimitrov also possesses a stellar drop shot. Those are the players that come to mind right away,” Alcaraz remarked.
Currently boasting a flawless 16-0 record this season, according to the Infosys ATP Win/Loss Index, Alcaraz is set to face Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals this Saturday.
