Carlos Alcaraz stated his profitable Indian Wells title defence was all of the sweeter as a result of he felt he had discovered himself within the California desert after a tough few months.
The Spaniard, nonetheless solely 20, had not gained a title since clinching his second main crown eventually yr’s Wimbledon till he beat Daniil Medvedev 7-6(5) 6-1 on Sunday in a rematch of final yr’s closing.
Alcaraz stated the title drought had not bothered him however, battling damage, he felt he had misplaced his means a bit and was not having fun with being on court docket.
“It’s tough to place it into phrases, as a result of I had actually tough months,” he advised reporters.
“Let’s say the final two months it was tough for me to search out myself. I didn’t get pleasure from stepping on the court docket. I wasn’t myself on the court docket the final two months, three months, so it was tough for me.
“It means so much to me, lifting this trophy as a result of I overcome quite a lot of issues in my head, quite a lot of issues bodily. It was so particular for that.
“That’s why I’m actually, actually completely happy to raise this trophy, as a result of I discovered myself at this event, and I felt actually, actually good.”
Alcaraz began the yr with a quarterfinal exit on the Australian Open earlier than being knocked out within the semifinals in Buenos Aires and retiring from his first match in Rio de Janeiro with an ankle damage.
“I used to be struggling to get pleasure from being on the court docket,” he added. “My household, my staff, individuals near me had been telling me that I used to be not smiling as a lot as I used to be doing earlier than.”
Report | Alcaraz beats Medvedev to win second straight Indian Wells title
Having fun with his tennis was vital to Alcaraz, he stated, and nothing was extra prone to carry out his trademark grin than successful some extent with the form of “particular shot” he produced to get previous Jannik Sinner within the semis and Medvedev on Sunday.
“I at all times say that I’m taking part in higher with a smile on my face,” he stated.
“And factors like this one, doesn’t matter if I win it or lose it, it places a smile on my face in any case.”
The world quantity two stated he would take a useful lesson in problem-solving away from Indian Wells together with the trophy and a cheque for $1.1 million.
“It doesn’t matter what issues you might have. Should you imagine in your self, you might have a extremely good staff round you, you’re employed laborious, every part can flip round,” he stated.
“I feel that’s the most important lesson that I take from this event.”