Carlos Alcaraz says Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal's successful comebacks after injury inspired him, as he makes Indian Wells SF

Carlos Alcaraz has continued his 2023 dominance at Indian Wells. The 19-year-old Spaniard, who was a semifinalist at the tournament last year, has repeated his success and is through to the semifinals yet again this year.

The former World No. 1, who played his last match of the 2022 season in the quarterfinals of the Paris Masters, was on the sidelines for almost four months, tending to various injuries.

He marked his comeback at the 2023 Argentina Open, where he produced the perfect run, clinching his seventh career title. Carlos Alcaraz then featured in the final of the Rio Open, where the defending champion fell short against Cameron Norrie. Owing to his marvelous recovery, the teenager has lost only one match out of the 13 contested so far in 2023.

In his post-match press conference after the Indian Wells quarterfinal win over Felix Auger-Aliassime, Carlos Alcaraz spoke about his admirable return on tour. The young Spaniard revealed that, being a fast learner, he wasn’t surprised by his current form, although he initially did not expect to win the title in Argentina.

“[It doesn't] surprise [me] so much, because I am a player and I'm a guy who learn really fast,” the World No. 2 said. “I was surprised when I won Buenos Aires, but right now, I'm not surprised at it.”

He cited tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as his inspirations in staging a successful comeback.

“I look to the big players, you know, Djokovic or Rafa, when they are coming from an injury and probably [they have] a great percentage to win the tournament after an injury,” he said.

Rafael Nadal made a miraculous return to the tour in 2022 after a recurring foot injury. He claimed four titles, including Grand Slams in Melbourne and Paris. Meanwhile, most recently, Novak Djokovic played through a hamstring tear to win the 2023 Australian Open title. Alcaraz restated that the duo’s determination motivated him to resume where he left off.

“So I look from them a little bit when I was injured, you know, training. They motivate me to, you know, play the good game, you know, after an injury in the first tournaments,” he said.

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Carlos Alcaraz sets up a thrilling clash with rival Jannik Sinner at Indian Wells 2023

The 2023 Indian Wells semifinal will be Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner's first meeting after 2022 US Open quarterfinal

Carlos Alcaraz scored his first victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime (6-4, 6-4) in the quarterfinals of Indian Wells 2023, after three failed attempts.

The Spaniard, who is the top seed at the event, will now face off against his arch-rival Jannik Sinner on Saturday (March 18) for a spot in Sunday’s final (March 19).

The duo have clashed four times in their young careers and their head-to-head is leveled at 2-2. The winner between the two will contest the title against the winner of Daniil Medvedev vs Frances Tiafoe.