Tennis: Alcaraz ‘100 per cent’ the No. 1, says Medvedev after Indian Wells finals defeat

INDIAN WELLS – Daniil Medvedev, routed 6-3, 6-2 on Sunday by Carlos Alcaraz in the Indian Wells final, says the 19-year-old Spaniard has “100 per cent” earned his return to No. 1 in the world, despite the absence of Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz’s first Indian Wells triumph – his third Masters 1000 title – moved him back to the summit he held at the end of 2022, after his US Open triumph made him the youngest man ever to reach No. 1.

He said: “It means a lot to recover the No. 1 ranking. I’m not going to say it was easy, but it was easier because Djokovic was not playing.”

Medvedev said it should take no shine from the achievement that Djokovic, who won a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title at the Australian Open in January, is missing Indian Wells and the upcoming Miami Open because his unvaccinated status means he cannot enter the United States.

“Oh yeah, 100 per cent,” Medvedev said, when asked. “It’s unfortunate Novak cannot play all the tournaments. 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... Rafa (Nadal) 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, 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.”

Alcaraz, 19, made a late start to his season with injury forcing him to miss the Australian Open. He returned with a bang with a title in Buenos Aires and a runner-up finish in Rio de Janeiro.

Medvedev, meanwhile, was coming off three straight ATP titles in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai. He came up a match short of equalling his career-best winning streak of 20 straight matches.

He was disappointed not to match or better it, but more than encouraged as he looked ahead to the Miami Open.

“A lot of confidence from this streak. Because last year, that’s what I was missing, kind of these streaks,” he said.

“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.”

A stinging backhand winner gave Alcaraz an early break in the opening set as he raced to a 3-0 lead. He gave himself a set point with a sharply angled forehand volley and sealed it with an unreturnable serve, then won the first 10 points of the second set on the way to a 4-0 lead.

He did not face a break point as he polished it off in 70 minutes, a diving volley winner giving him match point that he converted with another service winner.

“I’d said before against Daniil you have to play your best,” he said. “It’s always a tactic match against him, and I did perfect today. That’s why it looks easy, but it wasn’t.”

Alcaraz said the big change in him since a semi-final defeat by Nadal last year at Indian Wells was his comfort level on the game’s biggest stages.

He said: “But of course it’s normal to have nerves and you have to handle that. 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.” AFP, REUTERS