Daniil Medvedev has given insight into just how difficult it is to beat Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells, saying he struggled to come up with answers to the questions posed by the world No 2 during the final.
In a repeat of the 2023 final, Alcaraz successfully defended his title as he defeated Medvedev 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 in the showpiece match on Sunday.
Daniil Medvedev had been in brilliant form up to the final and he even had the early advantage against the Spaniard as he broke in the second game of the match.
However, Alcaraz was level on serve three games later and then edged the tie-breaker before he ran away with the match in the second set.
Asked during the post-match press conference just why Alcaraz is such a tough nut to crack in Indian Wells, the former US Open winner said: “Carlos, his ball goes so fast that it goes fast from the beginning to the end. Basically it’s an advantage.
“It’s an advantage because when we played some rallies, there were not so many, but when I managed to set up a rally, I felt like the only thing I can do is hit strong but not really put him in trouble, and when he makes one good shot I’m in trouble and I lose the point.
“It’s tough. Mentally it’s not easy to play against this. Yeah, to be honest, in second set, I felt a little bit out of solutions. Yeah, it’s not an easy feeling, because you have to try to do better.
“But that’s how I felt and I know that, for example, in US Open I managed to find the solutions. Different court, different situation. But even if I play him again here, this year was better than last year, 100%, I’m going to try to do even better. Maybe one set next time, and then hopefully two sets.”
Medvedev was also asked about Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominating the sport in the future.
Alcaraz is a two-time Grand Slam winner at the age of 20 while Sinner is the form player on the ATP Tour as he started the year with a 16-0 record as he won his maiden major, the Australian Open, and the Rotterdam Open. His run was ended by Alcaraz in the semi-final in Indian Wells.
“Carlos and Jannik, for the moment, just them, they already established themselves to say we are here, we’re going to try to win as many tournaments as possible,” Medvedev said.
“Then it’s always a question, do they win nine, 10, 12 Slams, which is amazing, or do they go for 25 to beat Novak, which is a bit more of a special number. And you never know. Who knows?
“Maybe at 30 Carlos says, I’m tired of tennis, I stop, or maybe he’s going to play until he’s 45, and the medicine improves so much he can do it.
“It’s tough to answer this question, but I’m sure that Carlos and Jannik will have a lot of Slams. But until I play I hope I can sometimes try to beat them because it’s a very tough job, very tough task.”
