A month on from a historic Australian Open singles title, Novak Djokovic and his vaccination standing are again within the highlight.
The Serb continues to be not vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, and has maintained a agency stance of with the ability to select what’s finest for his physique. He has additionally maintained that he accepts the price of his resolution – the shortcoming to put in writing extra historical past within the sport for the higher a part of a decade. And forward of Indian Wells and the Miami Masters, the 2 greatest non-Slam tennis tournaments when it comes to each prize cash and status, that call has come his manner once more.
Djokovic’s efforts to play within the US, the place unvaccinated foreigners are restricted, in the end failed, and earlier than Sunday’s Indian Wells draw, Djokovic withdrew.
According to the New York Times, the five-time Indian Wells champion’s staff lobbied with connections that have been near the administration, and utilized for a particular exemption, one of many parameters being that their presence within the US can be of ‘nationwide curiosity’. Might be doable. Given the crowds and the eye he would obtain at occasions. Public calls to permit him to play have been made by present and former gamers, the Florida Senators, and even the official social accounts of the US Open and Miami Open.
The want to play is comprehensible. In good kind, and recovering from the hamstring harm he was nursing by his Australian Open victory, he would be the overwhelming favourite at each Indian Wells and Miami. Djokovic accomplished the ‘Sunshine Double’ consecutively between 2014 and 2016.
His loss is the most recent blow to the occasions since Rafael Nadal withdrew with a hip harm, and escalates the game’s battle to draw consideration and star energy following the retirements of Roger Federer and Serena Williams final yr.
able to step up
So, it’s Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who grew to become an in a single day sensation after profitable two Masters 1000 titles and the US Open final yr, turning into the primary teenager in males’s tennis historical past to be the year-end world No. 1, that has piqued curiosity and attracted the eyes. , His charismatic presence and elegance of play are crowd-pullers wherever he goes.
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after profitable his semi-final match in opposition to Nicolas Jarry of Chile. (Reuters)
The 19-year-old Indian may reclaim the highest rating spot from Djokovic with titles in each Wells and Miami, however the thigh harm that saved him out of the Australian Open is at risk of re-emerging.
In Djokovic’s absence, Daniil Medvedev, the one participant to beat him this season within the semi-finals in Dubai, is the match favorite. Medvedev has gained 3 titles in a row, and has gamers like Casper Rudd and Alexander Zverev in his manner, neither of whom are in nice kind.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is in with a shot to turn out to be World No. 1 however will want an excellent run within the US. In Indian Wells, he could have Frances Tiafoe, Andrey Rublev and doubtlessly Medvedev en path to the ultimate, all with powerful duties to navigate. Tiafoe leads a powerful American contingent that features defending champion Taylor Fritz and upstart Ben Shelton.
However, it’s arduous to see Alcaraz (if match) and Medvedev in California, who may arrange a blockbuster remaining.
Swiatek transferring ahead
Like the Australian Open, the ladies’s discipline is more likely to be extra carefully drawn, led by ever-dominant Iga Swiatek. This time final yr, Pole was within the midst of a 37-match profitable streak that gave her an unassailable lead within the WTA rankings.
The World No. 1 has proven related kind, profitable in Doha and reaching the ultimate of a WTA 1000 occasion in Dubai a couple of weeks in the past. She’s up for grabs once more, and has some doubtlessly tough opening matches in opposition to former Slam champions Emma Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu.
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka will probably be her greatest problem, and will have her work reduce out for her with potential opening matches in opposition to second seed Donna Vekic and Dubai champion Barbora Krejcikova. Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur, the latest Major finalists, will even be in dialog.
With inputs from TheIndianEXPRESS
