By Richard Pagliaro | @TennisNow | Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Photo credits: BNP Paribas Open Instagram
A swarm of bees inspired Carols Alcaraz to bring buzz thrill to Indian Wells.
Two-time defending BNP Paribas Open champion Alcaraz swept Denis Shapovalov 6-2, 6-4 stretching his Indian Wells winning streak to 14 matches.
Afterward, Alcaraz credited the bee hive, a group of fans dressed in bee costumes, for bringing the good-vibe buzz that helped him deliver dynamic tennis.
Recent history shows us: a happy Alcaraz is a dangerous Alcaraz.
“It is funny, because, I mean, it helped me a lot, because, you know, during the whole first set, I was looking at them and laughing,” Alcaraz told the media in Indian Wells. “And I always say that when I laughing, when I having fun on the court I show good tennis.
“So probably thanks to them so I could show good tennis, as well.”
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has inspired the Carota Boys to attend his matches as large-than-life carrots.
Former Wimbledon semifinalist Sam Querrey’s powerful performance prompted The Samurais to attend his matches in Samurai outfits. And of course Hall of Famer Gustavo Kuerten’s festive play inspired the Guga Gang, Brazilian fans banging drums and chanting support turning some of his matches into tennis Carnival.
Alcaraz said he spotted the Bee Hive glancing at the big screen.
Afterward, Alcaraz bonded with the bees.
“I didn’t realize until the second game, the camera put them on the screen. So it was funny,” Alcaraz said. “As I said, I took a selfie with them at the end, because I think they deserve it.”
Continuing his quest for a rare Indian Wells three-peat, Alcaraz’s bee swarm of support comes one year after he withstood a wild attack of bees during his 2024 BeeNP Paribas Open quarterfinal win over Alexander Zverev.
Serving at 1-all, 15-0, Alcaraz paused as some bees began dive-bombing all around.
As a swarm of bees buzzed Alcaraz’s head, chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, stung in the temple, jumped down from the chair, motioned for Alcaraz to take cover and both made a bee-line for the exit.
“I saw some bees around, but I thought it was just a few of them, just not too many,” Alcaraz said. “But I saw the sky and there was thousands, thousands flying, stuck in my hair, going to me. It was crazy. One of them was hitting on me.
“But yeah, I tried to stay away from them, but it was impossible. As I said, stuck in my hair, so I was running out. I’m a little bit afraid of them (smiling). I had to stay safe, and yeah, I was running everywhere.”
The bees convened on the Spydercam camera above the court as if it were a home hive.
The most BEE-ZARRE thing you’ll ever see!! 🐝#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/OAHe0lIMpB
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 14, 2024
“Play is suspended due to a bee invasion,” chair umpire Lahyani announced at about 3:20 p.m. local time.
About 58 minutes after that announcement, bee keeper Lance Davis, wearing a long-sleeved t-shirt with “Killer Bee” emblazoned across the back, sunglasses and no other visible protection against the swarm—no gloves, no helmet and no fear—used a vacuum, technical term “Bee Blower”, to slurp up the bees.
Foo Fighters “My Hero” blared over the sound system as the courageous bee keeper scaled the stadium steps like spirited Rocky Balboa running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art—receiving high-fives from fans along the way—to face the infestation face to face.
Later, the dedicated beekeeper took time out to talk to a concerned Alcaraz at net about the state of the swarm, apparently reassuring the 20-year-old Spaniard he was safe.
“Well, I’m not gonna lie, I’m a little bit afraid of the bees,” Alcaraz said. “Seeing a few bees warming up so I didn’t feel 100 percent with the bees there.”
toughest opponent today?🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝 pic.twitter.com/aFoUDe7agb
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 15, 2024
Fittingly, heroic bee keeper Lance Davis tossed the coin before Alcaraz’s opening match giving the Spaniard a strong sense of Bee-lief for his title defense.
