Carlitos Alcaraz, the teenager who once again dominates world tennis and who does not seem to know his limits

The sky is the only limit to Carlos Alcaraz. The Spaniard, just 19 years old, seems destined to become a legend of world tennis and every time he takes the field he reiterates it. His passage Masters of Indian Wells 1000 was no exception. In the Californian desert, he once again broke records, delighted with his extraordinary talent and celebrated a doubly sweet title. Because with his 6-3 and 6-2 win against the Russian Daniel Medvedev In the final he won the eighth title of his career – the third in this category – and also regained the number one in the world.

The Murciano knew in advance that only a consecration would have allowed him to climb back to the top of the standings, which he had reached for the first time in September last year and which he lost against Novak Djokovic, after the Serbian party in Australia, in January. But without applying pressure“I just think about the things I have to do in each game”he claimed over and over again in the past two weeks-, he advanced at a steady pace and ended up hitting the target.

“This victory means a lot to me. Recovering the number 1 is crazy. But above all I’m happy to lift this trophy, I love this tournament,” said the Spaniard.

He won hands down, without giving up sets, with the Australian Thanasi Kokkinakisthe Dutch Tallon Griekspoorthe British Jack Drapper (retired due to injury in the second set), the Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime (which he had never managed to beat before this event) and the Italian Jannik sinner to get to the end.

Along the way, he broke records and wrote his name in some historical statistics. He achieved, for example, his 100th win on the circuit, beating Griekspoor, and became the second player who needed fewer games to reach that figure (132), among those who have come to occupy the number 1. Only the American john mcenroe He used fewer games than him to reach one hundred, 131st.

The victory against Auger-Aliassime, the 26th of his career in a Masters 1000 (a figure which, after the final, he left at 28), positioned him as the second teenager with the most celebrations in this category, only behind Rafael Nadalwho turned 49 before her 20th birthday.

In the final, the film was the same as in previous rounds. The Murciano demolished Medvedev in just over an hour and ten minutes of action and ended an impressive unbeaten run.

The Russian had arrived in California on a high note and was looking to add his fourth title and extend an impressive streak, which with the crash was 19 wins in 33 days. But he was far from his best level, he made too many mistakes and had no answer against a Spaniard who dominated the game from the first to the last game.

“It’s incredible to have competed like this for 10 days. I’m happy with my performance and I hope to continue like this in Miami,” analyzed the champion.

The consecration made Alcaraz the second player to win three or more Masters 1000 crowns as a teenager. Carlitos added that of Indian Wells to those of You love me AND Madrid 2022. Who did you join in that curious statistic? None other than Rafa, who lifted six trophies of that level in that phase of his life.

The El Palmar native also became the youngest tennis player – and the ninth in history – to shout champion in the two events of the Double SunIndian Wells and Miami.

These milestones have been added to the list of precocity records that the Murciano has nurtured since he entered the circuit just over three seasons ago. The most surprising were those he achieved last year by becoming the youngest tennis player to reach number one in the world, conquering the US Open his first Grand Slam – and to end a season in that privileged place.

Twenty weeks spent Alcaraz at the summit. The injury that forced him to wait until February to start his 2023 ended up costing him the top as well. But after recovering, he started with everything. The Murciano has played in three tournaments, with two titles (he won in Buenos Airesin his first engagement of the year) and a final (lost in Rio with Cameron Norie). He amasses a record of 14 wins and one loss. And it is, once again, number one in the world.

His tenure at the top may be short this time around. Because he will have to defend the title in Miami (which starts on Wednesday) in order not to be displaced again by Djokovic. But at least for another two weeks, Alcaraz is back on the top step of the standings. Higher he cannot climb. Even if for Carlitos there seem to be no limits.