Carlos Alcaraz stated his unwavering self-belief helped him come by an injury-plagued begin to the season and drove his return to the highest of the world rankings following his triumph at Indian Wells.
The 19-year-old ended Daniil Medvedev’s 19-match win streak with a6-3 6-2 hammeringon Sunday to leapfrog Novak Djokovic, who just isn’t competing within the U.S. hardcourt swing as he can not enter the nation attributable to not being vaccinated towards COVID.
Djokovic had taken high spot within the rankings by profitable the Australian Open, with Alcaraz lacking the yr’s first Grand Slam attributable to stomach and hamstring accidents.
The Spaniard returned to the ATP Tour in February at Buenos Aires the place gained his first title since final yr’s U.S. Open and made the Rio closing earlier than withdrawing from Acapulco with a strained hamstring.
“I began the season well but struggled a lot with injuries,” Alcaraz, who defends his Miami Open title this week, instructed Tennis Channel. “Two injuries in the legs in about four months, it was tough to stay strong mentally.
“I missed some tournaments I wanted to play, but I worked really hard with my team. I believe in myself and the work I’m doing right now and I’d say that’s the most important thing.
“It means a lot to recover the number one ranking. I’m not going to say it was easy, but it was easier because Djokovic was not playing.”
Victory over Medvedev meant Alcaraz turned the youngest man to win the Indian Wells and Miami Open titles, a feat dubbed the ‘Sunshine Double’.
“The thing that’s improved most is the mental game,” stated Alcaraz, who misplaced to Medvedev of their first assembly in 2021.
“I got a lot of experience since that match. I was new on Tour at that time but now I’ve played a lot of great matches and won great titles. That’s made me more confident,” Alcaraz stated.
“Now I know how to handle tough moments.”
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com