Nadal had not won a tournament since Roland Garros last June

The Spaniard, ranked second in the world, took his first title since last year's French Open with a 6-2 7-5 win.

Nadal, 20, broke twice in the first set and once in the second as he saw off his 19-year-old Serbian opponent.

"This is one of the best wins for me," said Nadal. "It is a strange feeling to come here and win without losing a set. I won against a great player."

Nadal suffered with injuries and relatively poor form for the latter part of last year but had looked back to his best in Indian Wells.

A straight-sets victory over Andy Roddick in the semi-finals was impressive enough, but when he won nine consecutive points to open the final it was clear Nadal was on top form.

I went eight months with no title and now I come back with a big one Rafael Nadal

He also won 16 of the first 18 points, breaking in games two and eight on his way to the first set.

The second was a tighter affair but Nadal saved all three break points he faced and clinched victory on the third match point when Djokovic's backhand sailed long.

"It was a great week for me," said Nadal. "I went eight months with no title and now I come back with a big one.

"I expected a tough match. In the first set I played very good with no mistakes. The second set was great. I played a little more defensively and he was serving better.

"It was important for me to save my break points."

Djokovic found some consolation in receiving the runners-up trophy from three-time Wimbledon champion Boris Becker.

"It is a big honour to receive a trophy from a legend," said Djokovic. "When my mother was giving me the milk I was watching Boris win Wimbledon."