Indian Wells 2022: Rafa Nadal opts for the ATP podium in Indian Wells after the defeat of Zverev

Ethe good time of Rafael Nadal coincides with the absence of Novak Djokovic in tournaments and the crisis of the game and the results of Alexander Zverev.

The German, pardoned to play the Masters 1,000 in Indian Wells despite his disqualification in Acapulco after physically and verbally assaulting the chair umpire in his doubles match, said goodbye last morning in his debut with local Tommy Paul.

Zverev, defeated 6-2, 4-6 and 7-6(2), opens the mathematical option that Nadal will surpass him in the ranking at the conclusion of the Californian tournament next Monday, March 21. The German has gone from being able to obtain the ATP title at the beginning of the course to seeing his ‘top3’ status in danger.

The manacor, who today seeks a place for the round of 16 against the British Daniel Evans, reach world number three if he gets into the Indian Wells final. It should be remembered that Daniil Medvedev circulates on his side of the table in some hypothetical semifinals.

To find the last time Rafa was on the ATP podium you have to go back to the week of August 2, 2021.

The tennis player knows the importance of moving up the lists to avoid direct duels with Djokovic or Medvedev, before the final rounds in the next matches.

season dominator

Nadal is the undisputed leader of the 2022 Race that gives a ticket to the Tour Masters Cup with a total of 2,795 points. In fact, he’s virtually rated for the masters appointment, the only big title missing from his palm. The second in that classification is Medvedev, 1,075 points behind the champion of 21 majors.

Rafa will skip the TMS in Miami (March 23 to April 3) to prepare with full guarantees for the European clay court tour that ends at Roland Garros (May 22 to June 5).

The tennis player will play tirelessly in Monte Carlo and Barcelona and, with a week to spare, will later be at the Mutua Madrid Open and the Rome Open.