After a shaky start to the season, which saw him crashing out of the Australian Open, Carlos Alcaraz silenced the critics in Indian Wells 2024 as he showed why he’s the leader of the chasing next-gen pact. A shaky first round aside, Alcaraz stormed through his competition in Indian Wells 2024, including exacting revenge against Alexander Zverev and breaking the unbeaten streak of Jannik Sinner. In today’s Indian Wells 2024 final, a repeat of last year’s final, Carlos Alcaraz dismantled Daniil Medvedev 7-6(5), 6-1 to reclaim his crown and secure his first title since Wimbledon 2023.
Carlos Alcaraz Joined Idol Rafael Nadal as Second Player Ever to Win Five Masters 1000 Titles Before 21st Birthday
Despite the straightforward scoreline, Carlos Alcaraz had to build his way up from the slumps in the Indian Wells 2024 final as Medvedev got off to a hot start in this one, parlaying a service break into a 3-0 first-set lead. However, as Alcaraz’s engine got moving, the tides shifted in the 20-year-old Spaniard’s favour, and he brought out his classic out-of-this-world moments to break back and force the set into a tie-break. After racing to a 5-2 lead, Alcaraz let his concentration slip, allowing Medvedev to put on the pressure at 5-5 before clutching out and clinching the set after a gruelling 69-minute opener.
From there, Alcaraz had complete control of the match as the young Spaniard raced to a 3-0 lead in the second set with phenomenal shot-making, causing the audience to jump out of their seats in applause. With the momentum behind him, the fully-energised Alcaraz closed out the set 6-1 in dominating fashion as he ended the match with twice as many winners to Medvedev (24-11). For context, the Spaniard’s forehand alone produced 19 of his 24 winners.
With this victory, Alcaraz became the first player to defend an Indian Wells title successfully in eight years since Novak Djokovic won the Desert title in three straight years from 2014, 2015 to 2016. Moreover, the 20-year-old became just the second player to win five Masters 1000 titles before turning 21, an achievement only attained by his idol Rafael Nadal. Lastly, he moves to the second overall leading Spaniard in Masters 1000 titles, eclipsing his coach, Juan Carlos Ferrero, as he hopes to close the gap between himself and Nadal with 36.
Most Masters 1000 titles before turning 21:
🇪🇸 Nadal 9
🇪🇸 ALCARAZ 5
🇷🇸 Djokovic 4 pic.twitter.com/3zgkj3SHht— Relevant Tennis (@RelevantTennis) March 17, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz Elated with Indian Wells 2024 Triumph
Carlos Alcaraz was a happy and relieved man in his post-Indian Wells 2024 interview, as he admitted he had many doubts about whether he could defend his title. “There were a lot of doubts, but I’m really happy to overcome the problems. I remember my first practice. It was 30 minutes, with no movement. It was really tough for me because I thought I was not going to play my best. I was not feeling well with my ankle. We did really good work off the court to try to recover as best we could. Once I stepped on the court, I started to feel better, and after every match, I was feeling better and better.”
As for his thoughts after winning Indian Wells 2024, Alcaraz replied: “For me, it’s amazing to lift this amazing trophy again, a really beautiful one. I love playing here. It’s so special for me. This year is a bit more special because, before the tournament, I was thinking about whether I was going to play my best or not. I wasn’t feeling my best with my ankle injury. Winning this tournament means a lot to me.”
When questioned on his thoughts of claiming a sunshine double in Miami next week, the Spaniard heartily replied: “Obviously, winning tournaments, especially winning a Masters 1000 again, helps a lot coming to the next ones. It is a really difficult tournament to win. It gives you extra motivation to keep going, extra, extra confidence for Miami right now and for what’s next.”
https://twitter.com/carlosalcaraz/status/1769555031148187679
Indian Wells 2024 Is the Resurgence Alcaraz Needed Ahead of Gruesome Season
Speaking of what’s next, Alcaraz has the chance to become the first player since Roger Federer in 2017 to do a sunshine double and the 8th men’s singles player to accomplish that feat. With Novak Djokovic pulling out of the competition due to health issues, Alcaraz may feel his triumph in Indian Wells 2024 will kickstart another streak of winning titles after a subpar 2024.
Talking about Miami, you can check out another legend, Lionel Messi, in action on https://www.asiasport.com/ with his Inter Miami team in the current MLS season. Let’s be real; while Alcaraz is the current main star of tennis, the scene of him meeting Messi like an awestruck kid is still pleasing to bear witness.
