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The brand new winner of the Australian Open, Rafael Nadalundefeated in 2022, aspires from this week to a fourth title in Indian Wells, where Daniil Medvedev will defend for the first time the number one in world tennis under the shadow of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, unexpectedly, the organization of the tournament included Novak Djokovic in the draw for the men’s draw despite the fact that it is unknown if he will be able to enter the United States due to the protocols against the coronavirus. Again the uncertainty of the Serb with the issue of a possible medical exemption around him.
“We are currently in communication with your team; however, it has not been determined if he will participate in the event » obtaining approval from health authorities to enter the countrysaid the organizers of the first Masters 1000 of the ATP season.
The Serbian, who handed over the number one in February to the Russian Medvedev, already missed the Australian Open in January for his refusal to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, which did not meet the requirements to enter that country.
Roger Federer and Serena Williamswho are still in the process of physical recovery, and the female number one, Ashleigh Bartywho preferred to rest after her triumph in Melbourne, are other sensitive casualties of the event, which starts on Wednesday with the first round of the women’s tournament, WTA 1000 category.
Who does not seem to resent fatigue is Rafael Nadal. At 35, the Spaniard is off to the best start of his career, with a string of 15 wins and three titles.
His first triumph came at the ATP 250 tournament in Melbourne, anticipation of his epic victory at the Australian Open in a five and a half hour final against Medvedev that made him the tennis player with the most Grand Slam crowns (21) ahead of Djokovic and Federer.
Nadal, who last year was more than four months without playing due to injury, continued his streak in Acapulcowhere he again defeated Medvedev in the semifinals and the British Cameron Norrie, current Indian Wells champion, in the final.
Tuesday’s draw included Nadal and Medvedev in the same sector, which could meet in the semifinals, while Djokovic is on the opposite side. In case of success in Indian Wells, Nadal will become the oldest winner of the event and will hoist his 37th Masters 1000 trophy, equaling Djokovic’s record.
One of his main rivals will be the German Alexander Zverev (third in the ATP), authorized to compete despite being banned for two months for his violent behavior in Acapulco, where he repeatedly hit the referee’s chair with his racket. The ATP suspended this sanction as long as Zverev does not break the rules again for a year.
new number one
In the desert Indian Wells (California), about 200 kilometers east of Los Angeles, other candidates will be the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas (5), Russian Andrey Rublev (7) and of course Daniil Medvedev.
The consecration of the Russian at the top of the circuit, at 26 years old, has been accompanied by other disappointments in recent weeks, such as his failed attempt to raise a second consecutive Grand Slam after winning the 2021 United States Open.
In Indian Wells, where they have never made it past the round of 16, their focus could be affected by the ongoing invasion of their country’s government into Ukraine.
“From a personal or emotional point of view, he could be affected, but I don’t think it will have an impact on his level of play,” he anticipated. Patrick Mouratogloucoach of Serena Williams, on Instagram.
Like his 13 Russian compatriots and six Belarusians entered in the tournament since the qualifying rounds, Medvedev will compete without mention of his country or his flag.
The number one has made calls for peace but without the resoundingness of other anti-war messages such as those of his compatriots Andrey Rublev and the Roland Garros 2021 finalist, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Badosa’s return to Indian Wells
In the women’s tournament, the first two tennis players in the WTA ranking will be missing, Ashleigh Barty and Barbora Krejcikova.
The Czech, winner of Roland Garros in 2021, resigned this Tuesday due to an elbow injury, leaving the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (3) and the Polish Iga Swiatek (4) as better positioned.
The Spanish Paula Badosa (7), winner of the Sydney tournament in Januarywill try to revalidate the title won in October in the Californian desert, the greatest achievement of his career.
Another figure in the painting will be the Japanese Naomi Osakawith four Grand Slam titles in his showcase but dropped to 80th place in the ranking after a complicated 2021.
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