Daniil Medvedev beats Carlos Alcaraz at Indian Wells but still calls him ‘so much better’

Daniil Medvedev pulled off something special, ending Carlos Alcaraz’s winning run to book his place in the Indian Wells final.

Not many people gave the Russian much hope before the match, with most expecting another chapter in the rivalry between Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.

Medvedev played the spoiler and has since spoken highly of both players while also sharing how his approach has changed when facing them.

Daniil Medvedev on why Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz have separated themselves from the rest

Even after such an impressive result, Medvedev kept his comments grounded. There was no sense of overexcitement or bold claims. Instead, he spoke with the kind of perspective that comes from experience.

When asked whether this win meant that he had proven that Alcaraz and Sinner are not untouchable, he replied: “No, I don’t care too much about the things because I’m already, first of all, a bit too old.”

Medvedev looked back on what had been a difficult 2025 season and discussed why he continues to believe in himself even when facing a player like the Spaniard.

He added: “I had a tough year last year, so even more perspective now I need to do my best, and that’s kind of it, because Jannik and Carlos, far better than all of us you mentioned. Only one match we can beat them. Sascha was serving for the match in Australia, and you never know what would happen in the final if he won.

“It’s more about one match on a long-term career or season. I mean, they are so good, they are so much better than us. And Djokovic, Federer, Nadal were so much better than us.

“But Djokovic, Nadal, and Jannik and Carlos are probably also better than all the ones that were there before. And they would struggle against them. It is what it is.

“As I said on the court, maybe I play 10 matches against Carlos, probably I’m going to lose more than I’m gonna win. But whenever I go on court, I need to believe in myself, I need to do my best, and try to win as much as I can.”

Daniil Medvedev has a chance to upset the usual order

Later today, Medvedev will face Sinner in the Indian Wells final, looking to become just the second player ever to beat both the Italian and the Spaniard at the same tournament.

The only other player to have done it is Novak Djokovic, who achieved the feat at the 2023 ATP Finals.

It is a tough challenge, but Medvedev has already done what many considered the harder part by snapping Alcaraz’s 16-match winning run.

When asked if he enjoys playing the role of spoiler against top-ranked players, Medvedev responded: “No, today, I mean, in a way where we speak about Carlos, No. 1 in the world, his winning streak, et cetera, maybe. But I think I was completely normal today. I mean, just playing my game. He was actually trying more to get the crowd and stuff like this, because, well, he needed it (smiling).

“It’s fun to play against Carlos, some fun points. I think I lost one where he made this crazy forehand. I won two maybe where I made him run a lot and he was always there, but then I managed to win.

“So it’s a lot of fun to play him. Look, I’m just trying to play my game and to do my best.”

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