The desert sun was bearing down on the No.1-ranked men’s tennis player on Monday. As he practiced his forehand and backhand, he was draped not in sponsor whites, but in purple and gold. More specifically in a No. 23 LeBron James Los Angeles Lakers jersey.
Carlos Alcaraz, the 22-year-old tennis phenom, who already owns seven Grand Slam titles, once again donned a LeBron James jersey to show his respect to “The King.”
Alcaraz was spotted wearing the jersey during a practice session ahead of the 2026 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells that begins on Wednesday in Southern California’s Coachella Valley. He even did the LeBron crown pose.
This isn’t new for Alcaraz, either. He first wore a James jersey during a practice session at the Australian Open earlier this year. Of course James spotted the salute, so he acknowledged it on his Instagram story, calling Alcaraz a “Young King.” Just another example of greatness recognizing greatness in different sports.
Inside the practice stadium at Indian Wells, Alcaraz is getting ready to put his perfect record on the line. The world’s No. 1-ranked tennis player is currently a perfect 12–0 to start the 2026 season, but standing in his way this week will be the No. 2-ranked Janik Sinner as well as the No. 3-ranked Novak Djokovic who was spotted at the Lakers game on Sunday, and then again later that night at Luka Dončić’s birthday celebration.
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