A month on from a historic Australian Open singles title, Novak Djokovic and his vaccination standing are again within the headlines.
The Serb stays unvaccinated in opposition to Covid-19, and has maintained a resolute stance of with the ability to select what’s finest for his personal physique. He has additionally maintained that he accepts the price of his determination – the shortcoming to script extra historical past within the sport he has dominated for the higher a part of a decade. And forward of the Indian Wells and Miami Masters, two of the most important non-Slam tennis occasions when it comes to each prize cash and status, that call has are available his means once more.
Djokovic’s makes an attempt to play within the US, the place entry of unvaccinated foreigners is restricted, finally failed, and forward of Sunday’s Indian Wells draw, which kicks off on Wednesday, Djokovic withdrew.
According to New York Times, the five-time Indian Wells champion’s group lobbied with connections that have been near the administration, and utilized for a particular exemption, with one of many parameters being that his presence within the US could possibly be of ‘national interest’ given the crowds and a spotlight he would draw on the occasions. Public requires him to be allowed to play have been made by present and former gamers, senators from Florida, and even the official social accounts of the US Open and Miami Open.
The need to play is comprehensible. In good kind, and after recovering from the hamstring harm he was nursing by means of his Australian Open triumph, he would have been the overwhelming favorite in each Indian Wells and Miami. Djokovic accomplished the ‘Sunshine Double’ consecutively between 2014 and 2016.
His loss is the newest blow to the occasions after Rafael Nadal withdrew with a hip harm, and additional dents the game’s battle to draw consideration and star energy after the retirements of Roger Federer and Serena Williams final 12 months
Ready to step up
So, it’s Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, who turned an in a single day sensation final 12 months after successful two Masters 1000 titles and the US Open to grow to be the primary teenager in males’s tennis historical past to grow to be a year-end World No. 1, to draw curiosity and eyeballs. His charismatic presence and taking part in type are usually a crowd-puller wherever he goes.
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates after successful his semi last match in opposition to Chile’s Nicolas Jarry. (Reuters)
The 19-year-old might take again the highest spot of the rankings from Djokovic with titles in each Indian Wells and Miami, however the thigh harm that saved him out of the Australian Open is on the threat of resurfacing.
In Djokovic’s absence, the one man to beat him this season within the semifinal in Dubai, Daniil Medvedev is about to be the event favorite. Medvedev has gained 3 successive titles, and has the likes of Casper Ruud and Alexander Zverev in his means, neither of whom are in excellent kind.
Stefanos Tsitsipas is in with a shot to grow to be World No. 1, however will want an excellent run in America. At Indian Wells, he could have Frances Tiafoe, Andrey Rublev, and probably Medvedev on his method to the ultimate, all arduous duties to navigate. Tiafoe leads a robust American contingent, together with defending champion Taylor Fritz, and upstart Ben Shelton.
It is, nonetheless, arduous to look previous Alcaraz (if match) and Medvedev in California, who might arrange a blockbuster last.
Swiatek main the best way
Like the Australian Open, the extra closely-fought draw is more likely to be within the girls’s area, led by the ever-dominant Iga Swiatek. This time final 12 months, the Pole was within the midst of a 37-match successful streak that gave her an unassailable lead atop the WTA rankings.
The World No. 1 has proven related kind, successful in Doha and reaching the ultimate on the WTA 1000 occasion in Dubai a number of weeks in the past. She is the one to catch once more, and has some probably tough early matches in opposition to former Slam champions Emma Raducanu and Bianca Andreescu.
Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka would be the largest challenger, and the second seed could have her work lower out with potential early fixtures in opposition to Donna Vekic and Dubai champion Barbora Krejcikova. Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur, the latest Major finalists, will even be within the dialog.
