Final victory against Russian

Carlos Alcaraz defends title in Indian Wells

Carlos Alcaraz

(Bild: APA/Getty Images via AFP/GETTY IMAGES/CLIVE BRUNSKILL)

Tennis pro Carlos Alcaraz has also won the rematch of the final against Daniil Medvedev at the Masters Tournament in Indian Wells and successfully defended his title. The 20-year-old Spaniard prevailed 7:6(7) and 6:1 on Sunday (local time) and only had difficulties in the first set. After 1:42 hours, Alcaraz converted his first match point and inflicted a defeat on the 28-year-old Russian Medvedev in the final, just like last year.

It is Alcaraz's first title since his triumph at the Grand Slam tournament in Wimbledon last year. "I've had a very difficult few months. Winning tournaments helps. It gives me confidence for the next tournaments and everything that's to come," said Alcaraz after his victory. The world number two was 0:3 down in the first set, but fought his way back and finally won the set in a tie-break. The Spaniard then only dropped one game in the second set and had little trouble winning the first Masters tournament of the season.

"I had a lot ofdoubts"
 The victory meant a lot to him, as he had traveled to Indian Wells with a damaged right ankle, reported Alcaraz. "I had a lot of doubts, especially about my ankle. I didn't play my best tennis, I didn't feel good. But then I improved game by game." The 20-year-old had beaten Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals and Australian Open winner Jannik Sinner, who had started 2024 with 16 wins, in the semi-finals. Medvedev had beaten Tommy Paul from the USA in the semi-finals.

Alcaraz achieved the feat of successfully defending his title in Indian Wells, the first player to do so since Novak Djokovic, who triumphed three times between 2014 and 2016. "It doesn't matter what problems you have. If you believe in yourself, have a good team around you and work hard, then everything can change again. That's the biggest lesson for me from this tournament," said Alcaraz.

For the Spaniard, it was the 13th title of his career, the fifth at Masters 1000 level. Season tournament number two in this category will take place this week in Miami, where he is aiming to win the "Sunshine Double". Medvedev will be the defending champion. From an Austrian perspective, only Sebastian Ofner has a fixed place in the main competition.