INDIAN WELLS - Carlos Alcaraz said his successful Indian Wells title defence was all the sweeter because he felt he had found himself in the California desert after a difficult few months.
The Spaniard, still only 20, had not won a title since clinching his second Major crown at Wimbledon in 2023 until he beat Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 on March 17 in a rematch of the 2023 final.
He also became the first repeat winner at Indian Wells since Novak Djokovic won three straight titles from 2014 to 2016.
Alcaraz said the title drought had not bothered him but, struggling with injury, he felt he had lost his way a bit and was not enjoying being on court.
"It's difficult to put it into words, because I had really difficult months," he said.
"Let's say the last two months it was difficult for me to find myself.
I didn't enjoy stepping on the court. I wasn't myself on the court the last two months, three months, so it was difficult for me.
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