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Players who have won Indian Wells Masters and Miami Masters back to back. Can Alcaraz add his name to the list?

ATP Masters 1000 Sunshine Double (Indian Wells, Miami)
2017: Roger Federer
2016: Novak Djokovic
2015: Novak Djokovic
2014: Novak Djokovic
2011: Novak Djokovic
2006: Roger Federer
2005: Roger Federer
2001: Andre Agassi
1998: Marcelo Rios
1994: Pete Sampras
1992: Michael Chang
1991: Jim Courier

No. 1 players by country. Alcaraz is the fourth from Spain. Will he take Spain past Switzerland or Serbia for most weeks @ No. 1?

No.	Country	Total		Players
		Players	Weeks
1	United States	6	896	Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick
2	Serbia	1	380	Novak Djokovic
3	Switzerland	1	310	Roger Federer
4	Czech Republic	1	270	Ivan Lendl
5	Spain	4	240	Carlos Moyá, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz
6	Sweden	3	201	Björn Borg, Mats Wilander, Stefan Edberg
7	Australia	3	89	John Newcombe, Patrick Rafter, Lleyton Hewitt
8	Brazil	1	43	Gustavo Kuerten
9	United Kingdom	1	41	Andy Murray
10	Romania	1	40	Ilie Năstase
11	Russia	3	31	Yevgeny Kafelnikov, Marat Safin, Daniil Medvedev
12	Germany	1	12	Boris Becker
13	Austria	1	6	Thomas Muster
	Chile	1		Marcelo Ríos

Ten Takeaways From Tennis Paradise: Final Thoughts On The 2023 BNP Paribas Open.

Sunday, March 16, 2023 - A general view of a match between Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime during the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. (Katelyn Mulcahy/BNP Paribas Open)

BY CHRIS ODDO

03/19/2023

As the curtains come down on another thrilling Indian Wells fortnight, we open our notebooks to take one more nostalgic spin around the grounds of Tennis Paradise. Join us for a recap of the high points of a memorable two weeks, with a look back at key storylines and a nod forward to the rest of the 2023 tennis season.

1. The Future of Tennis is Extremely Bright

We saw it early, we saw it often. The sport has been in good hands for decades, with the Big Three, Serena and Venus and many others leading in the way. In 2023, that fact hasn’t changed, but the names have. Alcaraz, Swiatek, Sinner, Rybakina, Auger-Aliassime, Gauff. We could go on and on, raving about the talent and the charisma that tennis’ generation next possesses, but it wouldn’t do it justice.

Better for you to feast your eyes on their tennis. The dawning of a new era of tennis is upon us and the BNP Paribas Open is excited to help usher it in.

2. Good Luck Defending The BNP Paribas Open Title

No singles players has defended a BNP Paribas Open title since 2016, when Novak Djokovic rolled past Milos Raonic to complete the first Indian Wells threepeat since Roger Federer in 2006. On the women’s side it has been far longer, with Martina Navratilova mounting the last successful Indian Wells title defense in 1991.

Master 👏 class 👏

Rybakina claims victory over Swiatek for the second time this season to dethrone the champ 6-2, 6-2 and reach a first IW final.#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/SUGZKLyf7J

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2023

It’s a testament to the depth of the tours in recent years, with talent stacked front to back inside the Top 100, and also an indication of the fact that the BNP Paribas Open is a tournament known for pleasant surprises.

Who could forget stunning first-time title runs by the likes of Naomi Osaka, Bianca Andreescu, Juan Martin del Potro, Dominic Thiem and of course this year’s winners, Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina.

Remarkably, each of the aforementioned crowning achievements have happened within the last five years. You want surprises? Come to Tennis Paradise!

3. Alcaraz Leading the Way into the Future

What can we say about Carlos Alcaraz that hasn’t already been said? Or that throngs of admirers didn’t express when they lined up in droves to take selfies and sign autographs with the teenager every time he made his way from the player’s lawn to the locker rooms during the Indian Wells fortnight?

Point of the tournament?@carlosalcaraz was on another planet out there today 🤪#TennisParadise | @BMWUSA pic.twitter.com/s7lBiMs2IH

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 19, 2023

The feeling is mutual: Carlos loves tennis and tennis loves Carlos. Not only is the 2023 BNP Paribas Open men’s singles champion blessed with otherworldly talents on court, he’s also a charming, engaging personality that appreciates every single token of appreciation that the fans give him.

When it comes to the young guns of men’s tennis, look no further than Carlos Alcaraz. He’s paving the way and setting the bar high for his peers and fellow aspirants.

4. Elena Rybakina’s Climb Continues

Your new Indian Wells champion has come a long way in the last 52 weeks, and now that she has claimed her maiden BNP Paribas Open final by defeating the No.1 and No.2-ranked players en route to the title, it’s clear that she’s ready to take her place among the elite forces in women’s tennis.

Blessed with thunderous groundstrokes, a jaw-dropping serve and an icy-cool demeanor, Rybakina seems destined to be a fixture for years to come.

✅ First Indian Wells title
✅ First WTA 1000 title
✅ First champion from Kazakhstan#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/520N5CiK1Z

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 19, 2023

5. Legends Gonna Legend

Each year, as tennis fans come to the Indian Wells Tennis Garden to root for their favorite players, a connection deepens. Fans don’t just root for anybody; they carefully comb the draws to find ones that they can relate to. It’s a time-honored tradition, and one that makes the sport more memorable for those who prefer to see it through the lens of their faves.

👱‍♂️👈#TennisParadise | @stanwawrinka pic.twitter.com/fdWJcwHoSH

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 13, 2023

This year, many of those came away smiling, as legends Stan Wawrinka, Gael Monfils and Andy Murray all produced another installment of their Indian Wells history, winning matches beyond the age of 35 and proving, once again, that age is just a number.

Add to that list 43-year-old Rohan Bopanna, this year’s men’s doubles title winner, who made history for himself and for Indian tennis, and we have further proof.

6. A New Golden Era for American Men’s Tennis?

Though they finished their 2023 campaigns with bitter losses, Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz and Tommy Paul continued to lead the way for the American men at Indian Wells by putting up stunning performances that took them deep into this year’s draw.

Tiafoe reached his first Masters 1000 semifinal, knocking off 2021 champion Cameron Norrie in the quarterfinals; Fritz performed valiantly in his title defense, reaching the quarterfinals before falling to the red-hot Jannik Sinner. Paul lost a heartbreaker to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Round of 16, but better days are sure to come for the wildly talented 25-year-old, who recently reached the Australian Open semifinal.

Rising Star ⭐️

“I think it’s been slow and steady on the rise, and I think every year I’ve gotten better,”#TennisParadise | @TommyPaul1

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 14, 2023

In total, ten American men currently populate the ATP’s Top 50, and Frances Tiafoe said it best when he told BNPParibasOpen.com the following:

“It’s good for tennis, when you see Americans do well. I think that’s always been the thing: which American guy is going to be the next one to win a Slam? It’s gonna happen.”

7. Emotions Run High In The Desert

Whether it was the heartbreak and jubilation of the late-night encounter between Felix Auger-Aliassime and Tommy Paul on Stadium 2, the soaring brilliance of Carlos Alcaraz as he celebrated his victories with gusto, or the pure joy of Rohan Bopanna, who became the tournament’s oldest men’s doubles champion on Saturday evening, Indian Wells is always a wild, exuberant ride.

Just ask any fan who witnessed the third-set tiebreak between Petra Kvitova and Jessica Pegula on Tuesday night in Stadium 1, the 24-point tiebreak bringing fans out of their seats, again and again.

Ecstasy, with a pinch of agony – die-hard fans wouldn’t want it any other way.

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 – Felix Auger-Aliassime plays against Tommy Paul during the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California. (Jared Wickerham/BNP Paribas Open)

8. Tiebreak Tens – a Grand Kickoff to a Great Fortnight

Watching Fourteen players who are or have been ranked in the Top 10 take the court in a mixed doubles format on the eve of main draw play? It was the perfect way to kick off a colossal BNP Paribas Open fortnight on Stadium two.

Keeping in tune with it’s “fifth Grand Slam” moniker, the BNP Paribas Open brought mixed doubles to the California desert for the first time ever, and the star power was off the charts. Watching top-tier pairings like Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz, Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas battle for winner-take-all $200k in prize money in the friendly confines of Stadium 2? How could you go wrong?

Eisenhower Cup 👉 Backstage Pass 🎟#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/DJtY9V2VKo

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 8, 2023

9. Key Rivalries Are Forming in Women’s Tennis

Iga Swiatek’s swift rise to the top of women’s tennis has forced the tour’s elite into action. Not satisfied with playing second fiddle to the runaway train from Warsaw, we are starting to see push-back and upheaval within the ranks.

During the first week of the tournament, No.3 seeded American Jessica Pegula set the tone when asked if she felt her recent win over Swiatek at United Cup and “chipped away at Swiatek’s aura of invincibility.”

“She’s definitely not invincible in my mind,” Pegula deadpanned.

🔟 - 0️⃣

Riding a ten-match winning streak, the Polish juggernaut has won her last 16 sets on the gritty hard courts of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. #TennisParadise | @iga_swiatek

— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 18, 2023

Aryna Sabalenka shoots along the same trajectory. The 2023 Australian Open champion’s self-professed goal for the near-term future is to hunt down the WTA’s No.1 ranking.

“It’s going to be really tough and that’s why I really want to achieve it, because it seems like impossible but I want to make it possible,” she said recently.

Add to that mix the powerhouse known as Elena Rybakina. The 2023 BNP Paribas Open women’s singles champion isn’t a big talker but her racquet speaks volumes. She defeated the defending champion in straight sets in the semifinals, ending the Pole’s 10-match Indian Wells winning streak.

The future is bright for Swiatek, but this year in the California desert, we saw that her peers on tour are not going to let her get through them without a valiant fight.

10. Tennis Paradise Brings Joy to the Sport 

Ah, #TennisParadise.

The name connotes tennis bliss and a heightened sense of euphoria.

With stunning vistas and the snowcapped San Jacinto mountains backdropping the grounds, fans are treated to an unrivaled tennis experience at the BNP Paribas. Whether you come to watch top stars practice, kick back in a high-class stadium suite, or visit as many stadiums as you can in a single session, the experience never fails to deliver.

And that is why they come in such great numbers. This year, the first Saturday of the weekend set a single-day record with more than 61,000 fans tracking through the gates, as over 45,000 fans attended the day session, also a single-day record.

In total, well over 425,000 fans came to visit Tennis Paradise in 2023. We hope to see you here next year!

https://bnpparibasopen.com/news/ten-takeaways-from-tennis-paradise-final-thoughts-on-the-2023-bnp-paribas-open/

US Open ‘very hopeful’ unvaccinated Novak Djokovic can play.

After Novak Djokovic withdrew from tournaments in Florida and California because he still can’t travel to the United States as a foreign citizen who is not vaccinated against COVID-19, a U.S. Tennis Association spokesman said Saturday the group is “very hopeful” the top-ranked player will be allowed into the country for the U.S. Open in August.

“Policies concerning access to the United States are determined by the White House. We are very hopeful that the policy preventing Novak Djokovic from entering the United States will be rescinded, or lapse, in the near future,” the USTA’s Chris Widmaier wrote to The Associated Press. “No COVID-19 restrictions are in place at the U.S. Open for any player, fan or other attendee. Novak, one of our sport’s great champions, would be welcome to compete at the 2023 U.S. Open.”

The two-week U.S. Open starts in Flushing Meadows on Aug. 28.

Djokovic, a 35-year-old from Serbia, was unable to get to New York for the season’s last Grand Slam tournament in 2022, when he also missed the Miami Open and BNP Paribas Open because he never got the shots for the illness caused by the coronavirus.

A six-time Miami Open champion, Djokovic is out of the field for the event that begins next week, a spokesman for the Miami Open said Saturday.

Djokovic is No. 1 in the ATP rankings and is tied with Rafael Nadal – who is injured and also won’t be in Miami – at 22 Grand Slam titles, the record for most won by a man. In 2023, Djokovic is 15-1 with two titles, including at the Australian Open in January.

But he will now have missed the first two Masters 1000 events of the season. He also pulled out of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, which ends this weekend.

Back in in April 2020, as the pandemic raged, Djokovic said he was opposed to needing to be vaccinated to travel. He later said he would not get inoculated even if it meant missing tournaments.

In January 2022, he tried to get an exemption to compete at the Australian Open and traveled to Melbourne. But after his case went to court, his visa was revoked and Djokovic was deported from the country.

Pandemic restrictions have been eased in Australia since, and Djokovic returned this year without a problem and won the season’s first major championship.

Meanwhile, Nadal has been sidelined since hurting his left hip flexor during a second-round loss at Melbourne Park. He is aiming to return to action at the Monte Carlo Masters next month.

https://sports.yahoo.com/us-open-very-hopeful-unvaccinated-050127678.html

Funny exchange between Rybakina and Sabalenka @ award ceremony @ 2023 Indian Wells.

 

"I'll make sure it was the last one...!" 🤣

Fighting talk from @SabalenkaA 😝 #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/9ADEFjMYfq

— wta (@WTA) March 19, 2023

 

'I will come back better': Sabalenka ready to rebound after Indian Wells loss World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka's loss to Elena Rybakina in the BNP Paribas Open final was an important reminder that old habits die hard.

Photo by WTA/Jimmie48

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. -- World No.2 Aryna Sabalenka insists that her loss to Elena Rybakina in the BNP Paribas Open final will only make her stronger. On Sunday, Sabalenka took just her second loss of the season after Rybakina captured her first WTA 1000 title with a 7-6(11), 6-4 at Indian Wells. 

Sabalenka led by a break at 4-2 in the opening and held two set points in the tiebreak, but 10 double faults in the opening set sparked her undoing. 

"I had a lot of opportunities in the first set and I didn't use it, which is totally fine," Sabalenka said. "I feel like it's a small reminder that, no, you still have to work on so many things. There will be days when not everything will go your way, so you still have to work hard and you still have to fight a lot."

 

"I'll make sure it was the last one...!" 🤣

Fighting talk from @SabalenkaA 😝 #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/9ADEFjMYfq

— wta (@WTA) March 19, 2023

Sabalenka acknowledged that her double faults on key points late in the first set recalled her serving struggles from last season.

"There will be some days when old habits will come back and you just have to work through it," Sabalenka said. "Not every match will be going your way and you will be serving perfectly. So it is just kind of a reminder that that's OK to still be struggling with something. That's okay to don't play your best. Keep fighting and keep using the rest of the weapons.

"Today I would say that I was super disappointed with my serve, so I was back to old habits. I was a little bit overreacting to things and I wasn't there in the first two games in the second set."

https://www.wtatennis.com/news/3117050/-i-will-come-back-better-sabalenka-ready-to-rebound-after-indian-wells-loss

Most weeks @ No. 1. Alcaraz starts a new streak @ top spot.

Rank	Player	Total
1	Novak Djokovic (SRB)	380
2	Roger Federer (SUI)	310
3	Pete Sampras (USA)	286
4	Ivan Lendl (TCH)	270
5	Jimmy Connors (USA)	268
6	Rafael Nadal (ESP)	209
7	John McEnroe (USA)	170
8	Björn Borg (SWE)	109
9	Andre Agassi (USA)	101
10	Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)	80
11	Stefan Edberg (SWE)	72
12	Jim Courier (USA)	58
13	Gustavo Kuerten (BRA)	43
14	Andy Murray (GBR)	41
15	Ilie Năstase (ROM)	40
16	Carlos Alcaraz (ESP)	21
17	Mats Wilander (SWE)	20
18	Daniil Medvedev (RUS)	16
19	Andy Roddick (USA)	13
20	Boris Becker (GER)	12
21	Marat Safin (RUS)	9
22	John Newcombe (AUS)	8
	Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)
24	Thomas Muster (AUT)	6
	Marcelo Ríos (CHI)
	Yevgeny Kafelnikov (RUS)
27	Carlos Moyá (ESP)	2
28	Patrick Rafter (AUS)	1
Active Players In Bold

Latest ranking with Alcaraz as No. 1.

Rank	+/- Rank		Player	Age	Points	+/- Points	Tourn Played	Dropping	Next Best
1	+1		Carlos Alcaraz	19	7,420	+640	18	1,000	0
2	-1		Novak Djokovic	35	7,160		15	0	0
3			Stefanos Tsitsipas	24	5,770	-35	21	90	45
4			Casper Ruud	24	5,560		24	600	0
5	+1		Daniil Medvedev	27	4,330	+555	23	180	45
6	+4		Felix Auger-Aliassime	22	3,415	+170	27	10	45
7			Andrey Rublev	25	3,390	-270	25	10	45
8			Holger Rune	19	3,325	+4	26	0	0
9	+2		Hubert Hurkacz	26	3,065	-45	22	360	45
10	-5		Taylor Fritz	25	2,975	-820	23	90	45

Alcaraz Makes More ATP Masters 1000 History By Reaching Indian Wells Final. Spaniard has reached the final at both Miami and Indian Wells.

Carlos Alcaraz is relentlessly rewriting the annals of professional tennis. On Saturday, the Murcia native reached the final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, once again underlining his status as one of the ATP Tour’s most feared players. With a smile on his face after a job well done, the Spaniard has found yet another way to etch his name into the history books.

Alcaraz is the 18th man to have reached singles finals at both Indian Wells and Miami, demonstrating his ability to adapt at two of the most iconic events on the calendar. Having won his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy last year in South Florida — becoming the youngest winner in the history of the tournament and the third-youngest champion overall in the prestigious category — the Spaniard will be bidding to add to his fast-growing trophy collection when he takes on Daniil Medvedev in Sunday's Southern California final.

Players Who Have Reached Singles Finals In Indian Wells & Miami

Player	Indian Wells	Miami
Carlos Alcaraz	1	1
John Isner	1	1
Andy Murray	1	4
Novak Djokovic	6	7
Rafael Nadal	5	5
Roger Federer	9	5
Ivan Ljubicic	1	1
Andy Roddick	1	2
Carlos Moya	1	1
Marcelo Ríos	1	1
Pete Sampras	3	4
Michael Chang	3	1
Jim Courier	2	1
Andre Agassi	3	8
Stefan Edberg	2	1
Miloslav Mecir	1	1
Jimmy Connors	3	1
Ivan Lendl	2	3

The achievement is even rarer than reaching World No. 1, with the Miami event first being played in 1985. Since the start of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings in 1973, a total of 28 players have managed to reach its peak in singles, while only 18 have progressed to the final in both Indian Wells and Miami.

It is a list replete with legends, including all members of the Big Four and many of the great players of the 1980s and 1990s, who are now joined by the latest superstar of men’s professional tennis. It is yet another historic feat to add to a career that is progressing at breakneck speed.

Alcaraz, who this week reached the milestone of his 100th tour-level win, will be vying to cap off a magical week in the desert when he clashes with Medvedev, the only current Top 10 player he is yet to defeat among those he has played (excludes Fritz, Rublev).

Did You Know?
Carlos Alcaraz is attempting to become the youngest player in history to complete the career ‘Sunshine Double’, by claiming the Indian Wells and Miami ATP Masters 1000 titles before turning 20. The man from Murcia would break the records set by Michael Chang, Jim Courier and Novak Djokovic, who all completed the set at the age of 20.

https://www.atptour.com/en/news/alcaraz-history-2023-indian-wells-miami-finals

Medvedev's press conference after losing to Alcaraz @ 2023 Indian Wells final 3-6, 2-6.

C. ALCARAZ/D. Medvedev

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: First of all, Daniil, not the result you had hoped for today, but what can you summarize from today and also your performance all week in Indian Wells?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Yeah, a week would be easier to summarize than today, because today, tough. I didn’t play my best. He probably played good, and that happens unfortunately sometimes in tennis.

I mean, because already it’s not that long after the match, but I was thinking it happens, you know. After my match with Novak I was the same. I was, like, I played pretty well but Novak didn’t play his best. You know, sometimes that’s what happens.

Why didn’t I play my best? I don’t know. Maybe it was his ball. Maybe it was the wind, was pretty windy today, and for him it was easier to go through this wind, and that’s normal. That’s what’s easier to do for him.

So I have no real reasons, and sometimes in tennis you don’t have them. Disappointed with the result, but the week was amazing. Because Indian Wells, to make final, I mean, I’m just super happy and proud, because it’s a clay court on hard court. That’s a good result for me.

A lot of points. A lot of things to see in the season. Started it really well. I made already more points than last year at that point.

So yeah. I see only good things, and looking forward to Miami, for sure.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. I know you didn’t play your best today, and I know you have seen a lot of him play. You watch a lot of tennis. This is the first time you’ve played against this version of Carlos Alcaraz. What is it like to play him?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: He’s playing good. You know, I feel like he was serving well today. Serve and volley was good. Like even I knew that it’s never easy to finish a match, especially a final. I was thinking about my match with Novak in US Open, and, you know, try to do the same, put pressure on him.

For example, deuce, I made finally like a very good return on his serve and volley, sliding forehand volley, dropshot, yeah. It’s not easy to play him. I would definitely love to play him on other surface, like maybe a little bit faster hard courts to see if I could do better.

Yeah, again, I don’t know if it’s his game that didn’t let me play my best level today or just, for whatever reason, I didn’t play my best level. Mentally I was ready for the match. I don’t feel like I kind of took it too easy before the match. I was ready for a fight. I knew that I have a tough opponent on the other side.

He played well. Good dropshots in good moments, some good winners to break me. So not much more to add.

Q. You have been No. 1, Carlos will be back at No. 1 again. How do you guys, as the players, sort of view the ranking right now with Novak’s situation, the fact he hasn’t been able to play much? Is it a true No. 1 in your mind?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Oh, yeah, 100% because it’s for sure unfortunate Novak cannot play all the tournaments, and I’m sure everyone would love to see him play, because it’s just good to see Novak play. He plays very good.

But it is what it is, you know. If you get injured, I don’t know, Rafa is injured for some time. We also can say, well, if Rafa would not be injured he would be No. 1. Well, we cannot know because he’s injured.

Same about Novak. For sure if he would be able to play last year and this year all the tournaments, there is a possibility that the rankings would be different. But… But, there shouldn’t be no “buts.”

Carlos is deservedly World No. 1. He won more points than everybody else in last 52 weeks, and that’s how rankings work. Yeah, he was also year-end No. 1 last year, so that’s something I haven’t done, so I’ll try, for sure, in my career. Yeah.

Q. Does your performances here over the past 12 days give you confidence for the clay court season?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: A little bit tough to answer, because as much as I said about this court, at least, look, to not back off from my words I said in the third round or whatever, you don’t have to slide here. Sliding is a little bit something that’s not easy for me on clay courts.

But I made some good results in the past on clay courts in some big tournaments. I’m feeling great right now at this part of the season, mentally, physically, honestly, in my tennis.

So I’m looking forward, for sure, for clay season but first I want to try to do well in Miami where it’s still hard courts even if maybe it will be very slow.

Q. You just said you’re obviously disappointed at the end result, but at the same time, does this sit with you for a day or two when you consider the conditions today and how well he was also playing, or do you get over it pretty quickly?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: I think this one I will get over pretty quickly. Depends how many finals you lost in a row, what were your previous results. I don’t know. Sometimes how you’re feeling in life right now.

Answering all these questions, I feel pretty well, I won three tournaments, I managed to make my best result in Indian Wells where before I couldn’t make it to quarters, and already my second match was three-setter.

A lot of positives, for sure. I think this one, like I will be forever disappointed that I didn’t win the final, but I can laugh already and whatever, I’m gonna try to win the next one or win this one next year.

So yeah, looking forward already and, for sure, will not think too much about this one but will discuss it with my coach, for sure.

Q. Your winning streak has come to an end.

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Damn, one away from my record. That’s actually disappointing (smiling).

Q. But is it also a sense of relief, like that pressure is gone of keeping the streak alive?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: Oh, no, I’m really disappointed because I had 20 one time, if I’m not mistaken, 20 or 21, but I think it was 20. This would be cool to try to beat it and maybe try to prolong it as long as possible.

It’s great to have these streaks. You feel great, because in the streaks you will always have maybe some easier by the ranking opponents but some top ones also. Unless you play, I don’t know, six 250s in a row, but that’s rare.

Yeah, really disappointed that it ended, but a lot of confidence from this streak. Because last year, that’s what I was missing, kind of these streaks. I was doing sometimes finals, semis in Cincinnati, kind of playing good but not playing well enough in the semis. I managed to win 19 matches in a row. I’m proud of it, and now it’s time to try to build a new streak. There is no other way in tennis.

Q. It’s easy to be a critic with a pen and a notebook sitting in the stands watching you play. Do you feel like you made enough changes, considering how the match was going and the tactics and the way you were playing?

DANIIL MEDVEDEV: It was not easy, because I tried for sure, that’s what I try to do all the time if something is not working, but he was kind of cutting the rhythm well. When I say “cutting the rhythm,” you know, when the guy serves 130 on the T and you don’t return it, not much you can change.

Then, I don’t know, the moment I started feeling like maybe I was getting a little bit better in the rally and missing less — I was missing a lot for whatever reason today — he did like this game where he did three dropshots in a row where I couldn’t really see them, so then I got ready for it and I won couple at the end. But again, talking about the serve and volley on a deuce point, which he made.

So I will talk more with my coach to see, for sure for the next matches, if I want to win, you know, I have to change more or just be better.

But, yeah, I don’t have any regrets saying I should have changed this or that, but just should have played better in general. No regrets in terms of kind of tactics.

https://bnpparibasopen.com/news/daniil-medvedev-sunday-march-19-2023/

Alcaraz's press conference after defeating Medvedev @ 2023 Indian Wells final 6-3, 6-2.

C. ALCARAZ/D. Medvedev

6-3, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Welcome, everyone, to the press conference of Carlos Alcaraz. First of all, congratulations, Carlitos. Your first title here in Indian Wells, your third ATP Masters 1000 title, and you will be back to World No. 1 tomorrow. Could you summarize your week here in Indian Wells.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it feels amazing to lift the trophy here, to recover the No. 1. I would say this has been the perfect tournament.

Yeah, it was good for me, this tournament that I really wanted to win, and for me, it’s amazing.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in English.

Q. What progress have you made in your game since you were here a year ago and you had the match with Nadal, and 12 months later you’re No. 1 in the world? What are some of the things you are doing even better?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Here in — what do you mean?

Q. With your tennis overall, you’re such a better player even than you were a year ago. What are you doing better with your tennis?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I think my tennis didn’t improve so much since last year. What I improve a lot is to don’t take the pressure, just to play relaxed, you know. That’s for me the most important thing.

That’s why I show a great level, because I — well, I feel like I have no pressure. I enjoy. I’m playing relaxed. I would say I improved that a lot, and that’s why I’m playing a good level.

Q. Looking from the outside, it looks like when you play, you have no doubts about your shots. Is it true? Are you completely confident every time you hit the ball? Because it really looks like you have no doubts that what you’re doing is the right thing to do.

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yeah, I have no doubts about my shots. I feel really comfortable on court. I really trust in every shot that I hit.

Of course, as I said, that’s why I’m playing a great level, because if I miss, I don’t mind. You know, I don’t care about the miss. I just trying to hit 100% in every shot, you know, and having no doubts about the shot.

Q. Your entire match took one minute less than the first set of the women’s final. Did you surprise yourself by quite how well you were able to play today, how dominant you were today? Or did you expect it to be like that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Honestly, I didn’t expect that. I expect a match, toughest match. But, yeah, I played perfect, let’s say. I’d say before that against Daniil you have to play your best, and tactic at your best level, as well. Against him is always a tactic match, and I did perfect today. That’s why it looks easy, but it wasn’t (smiling).

Q. Back at No. 1. How does that feel now to do it again?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, it feels great to be back on the No. 1, you know. Of course every player on the ATP wants to be No. 1, and for me it’s a dream come true again. Obviously being in front of such great players like Novak, like the top players, for me, it’s an amazing feeling.

Q. Congratulations. A lot of players can be nervous at biggest finals like Indian Wells, US Open, but for you, it seems like you’re very loose and relaxed. Is there a secret to that?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Well, I try to show that, but honestly, I was nervous. But this is something that I talk with my team, you know, to show the opponent that I’m relaxed, that I’m enjoying the final.

But of course is normal to have nerves and you have to handle that, you know. All the best players in the world in that moment, they handle the nerves really, really well, and play such a great level. That’s what I try to do. But I was nervous (smiling).

Q. Well done. It’s nearly a year since you played Novak Djokovic. You missed the Australian Open; he missed the US Open. Is that something that’s missing for you, something you’re very much looking forward to?

CARLOS ALCARAZ: Yes, of course. I mean, Novak is one of the best players in the world. That’s obvious. You know, I will say that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best.

I really wanted to play against Novak again. We miss him on tour, and hopefully to have him back very, very soon. But yeah, of course it could be amazing to play against him again.

https://bnpparibasopen.com/news/carlos-alcaraz-sunday-march-19-2023/

Carlos Alcaraz & Daniil Medvedev React To Indian Wells 2023 Final 🗣️ Alcaraz and Medvedev reflect on their second career meeting in the Indian Wells showpiece.

 

 

WTA: A reversal of roles 🏆 @ 2023 Indian Wells final.

Carlos Alcaraz vs Daniil Medvedev Fight For The Title 🏆 | Indian Wells 2023 Final Highlights.

 

 

Photos: 2023 Indian Wells final.

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 19: Carlos Alcaraz of Spain with the winners trophy after defeating Daniil Medvedev in the final during the BNP Paribas Open on March 19, 2023 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

 

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 19: Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan poses with the winner's trophy after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the Women's Final of the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 19, 2023 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)