Carlos Alcaraz Defends Indian Wells Crown Against Daniil Medvedev
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz ended his title drought by defeating Daniil Medvedev to defend his Indian Wells crown. Alcaraz expressed his joy in finding himself again after a challenging period in the California desert.
Overcoming Difficult Months
Alcaraz, at only 20 years old, secured his first title since Wimbledon last year by beating Medvedev 7-6 (5), 6-1 in a rematch of the previous year’s final. He admitted to struggling with injuries and a lack of enjoyment on the court in recent months.
Alcaraz shared, “It’s difficult to put it into words, because I had really difficult months. Let’s say the last two months, it was difficult for me to find myself. I didn’t enjoy stepping on the court. I wasn’t myself on the court the last two months, three months, so it was difficult for me.”
Finding Joy in Tennis
Despite facing setbacks at the Australian Open and in Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, Alcaraz emphasized the importance of enjoying his time on the court. Winning the Indian Wells title brought him immense happiness and a sense of accomplishment.
Alcaraz highlighted the significance of problem-solving and self-belief, stating, “It doesn’t matter what problems you have. If you believe in yourself, you have a really good team around you, you work hard, everything can turn around.”
Winning the tournament not only brought Alcaraz a trophy but also a prize of $1.1 million. He expressed gratitude for the support from his family, team, and fans throughout his journey.
Reflecting on his victory, Alcaraz concluded, “That’s why I’m really, really happy to lift this trophy, because I found myself at this tournament, and I felt really, really good.”
Alcaraz’s positive outlook and determination serve as an inspiration for aspiring tennis players and fans worldwide.
