Carlos Alcaraz emulates Rafael Nadal again with Indian Wells 2023 triumph, becomes only second teenager to win three Masters 1000 titles

Carlos Alcaraz joined Rafael Nadal in yet another elite club in men's tennis, becoming only the second player to win at least three ATP Masters 1000 titles while still a teenager. Before Alcaraz's 2023 Indian Wells triumph, Nadal was the only man to do so, and now the two Spaniards stand together on that front.

Alcaraz beat Daniil Medvedev - who entered the final on a staggering 19-match unbeaten run - 6-3, 6-2 to clinch his maiden Indian Wells title on Sunday. Alcaraz, who will turn 20 in May, already has the Miami Open and Madrid Masters titles under his belt, both of which he won last season.

After winning his third Masters 1000 title and becoming the first teenager since Nadal to do so, Alcaraz also has a chance to stand within just one title of his countryman's record tally of six Masters 1000 titles as a teenager. Alcaraz will now immediately begin his Miami Open title defense before the claycourt season and French Open build-up kicks off with the Monte Carlo Masters in the second week of April.

If Alcaraz wins both those tournaments, he would have five Masters 1000 titles before turning 20.

Back in 2005-06, Nadal won two titles each at Monte Carlo and the Italian Open, and one each at the Madrid Masters and the Canadian Open, before ringing in his 20th birthday. Alcaraz will just about miss his shot at winning six Masters 1000 titles as a teenager as the 2023 Madrid Masters final - which is the next Masters 1000 event on the calendar after Monte Carlo - will be held only days after the Murcia native turns 20.

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What Carlos Alcaraz needs to do to remain World No. 1 after Miami Open

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning the 2023 Indian Wells title.

Carlos Alcaraz entered Indian Wells knowing that nothing short of the title would suffice for him to regain the World No. 1 ranking from Novak Djokovic. Now that he has achieved the dream result, Alcaraz's next big task is to hold onto the top spot by successfully defending the Miami Open title. The equation for the Spaniard is the same in Miami as it was in Indian Wells, which is to win the title and retain the World No. 1 ranking.

Since Alcaraz is defending 1000 points in Miami, nothing short of winning the title would be enough as Djokovic is not defending any points in Miami this year, having missed the tournament last season as well.

Carlos Alcaraz did not drop a single set en route to the Indian Wells title and will fancy his chances in Miami on the back of such a rich vein of form.