(Indian Wells) Novak Djokovic prevented, Rafael Nadal injured, the Indian Wells tournament, which begins Wednesday in California, will count on Daniil Medvedev, currently in great shape, Carlos Alcaraz, who can become world No.1 again, and Iga Swiatek, in search of a rare double, to keep its superb.

Until the last minute, the organizers hoped for a happy ending for the Serbian world No.1. But not being vaccinated against COVID-19 still prevents him from entering the United States, the American authorities having refused his request for exemption.

Also, the joint record holder, with Nadal, of the number of Grand Slams won (22), vainly supported by the American Tennis Federation and the organizers of the United States Open, he withdrew on Sunday. Which benefited Nikoloz Basilashvili, integrated into the main draw.

The Georgian (118^e World), certainly a finalist in 2021, will not make us forget Djokovic, who has not played in the United States for a year and a half and was aiming for a record sixth title in this Masters 1000. Especially since “Nole”, sacred to the Open in Australia and at the Adelaide tournament, the 35-year-old is making a remarkable start to the season, having only conceded his first defeat of the year last week, against Medvedev in the semi-finals of the Dubai tournament .

Favorite Medvedev

Nadal has not recovered from his injury to the iliopsoas muscle, contracted in Melbourne. Guaranteed to get out of top 10 for the first time since 2005, the 36-year-old Mallorcan, three-time winner in Indian Wells and still a finalist last year, has also given up playing the Miami Open that will follow.

And all eyes turn to his “heir”, Carlos Alcaraz, whom he had beaten in the semi-finals in the previous edition, before the latter was crowned at the United States Open, becoming, at 19, the youngest world No.1 in history.

The Spaniard injured his right leg earlier this year and had to forfeit the Australian Open. He made a successful comeback in mid-February by winning on clay in Buenos Aires against Cameron Norrie. The Briton, winner in Indian Wells in 2021, took his revenge in stride in Rio de Janeiro.

If Alcaraz wins, he will reclaim the world throne. But his state of form questions, because he hurt his right hamstring in Brazil and did not line up as expected in Acapulco last week.

So much so that Daniil Medvedev emerges as the favorite of the tournament. Because the Russian has fully recovered from his surprise elimination on 3^e round of the Australian Open against Sebastian Korda, winning successively in Rotterdam, Doha and Dubai, three victories in three weeks.

Sabalenka, confirmation awaited

Undefeated for 14 games, the 6^e world is close to his best level, that of his coronation at the United States Open in 2021, where he deprived Djokovic of a calendar Grand Slam. Enough to feed the ambition to finally shine in Indian Wells, where he has never yet passed the round of 16 in five appearances.

Among the other candidates to follow are the Greek Stepfanos Tsitsipas (3^e), finalist in Melbourne, or the American Taylor Fritz (5^e) title holder.

Among women, the world No.1 Iga Swiatek, who imposed a frank domination on the circuit last season with Roland-Garros and the United States Open in her hands, marked time in January, eliminated in the round of 16. at the Australian Open, by the Kazakh Elena Rybakina.

But the 21-year-old Polish girl quickly resumed her march forward, winning in Doha, before giving up in the final in Dubai, against the Czech Barbora Krejcikova. She will try to become the first player to retain her title since Martina Navratilova, who scored twice in 1991 and 1992.

However, Swiatek will not lack rivals, starting with her runner-up, Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka, winner of her first Major in Melbourne and who will have to confirm this milestone.

She will also have to be wary of the American Jessica Pegula (3^e), the Tunisian Ons Jabeur (4^e) back after a knee injury, or even Caroline Garcia, winner of the Masters last year and who remains on a lost final in Monterrey.