INDIAN WELLS, California. Australian Open winner Rafael Nadal, unbeaten in 2022, will seek a fourth Indian Wells title, where his main rival, Daniil Medvedev, will defend his No. 1 position in the world for the first time in a difficult context. linked to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Back in the March schedule, after cancellation in 2020 and postponement for October 2021, the Californian Masters-WTA 1000 will also continue, from Wednesday, with a plateau worthy of its status as a “fifth Major”.

Because apart from Novak Djokovic, who was prevented from being vaccinated, Roger Federer and Serena Williams, who are still recovering, and world number one Ashley Barty, who cite insufficient recovery after his triumph in Melbourne, will be all leaders present.

Tired, Rafael Nadal, does not know. At 35, he made the best start to his career season, with a streak of 15 wins and 3 titles.

First in the ATP 250 tournament in Melbourne, then in the Australian Open after an epic 5:30 final against Medvedev, to become the most successful in the Grand Slam (21) ahead of Djokovic and Roger Federer, finally in Acapulco, eliminating again the Russian in the semifinals.

This return to the top is even more impressive as the Spaniard, who has climbed to 4th place in the world, had stopped all competition for more than four months at the end of last year, to heal an injury to his left leg.

Record in sight

If he wins at Indian Wells, to succeed Britain’s Cameron Norrie, whom he just beat in the Acapulco final, Nadal will become the tournament’s oldest winner ahead of Federer, with 35 years, 7 months and 11 days in 2017.

Mallorca, who will then be two months older, would win his 37th Masters 1000, equaling Djokovic’s record.

His opponents will not fail: Alexander Zverev (no 3), authorized to play and thoroughly checked after a two-month suspension, for his blood in Acapulco where he had hit the referee’s chair several times with his racket. Stefanos Tsitsipas (no 5), Andrey Rublev (no 7), recent winner in Marseille and after Dubai. and apparently Daniel Medvedev.

The Russian will try to open his winning streak for 2022, in the heart of the first ten minutes where he dethroned Djokovic in the world rankings.

A consecration, at 26, accompanied by mixed emotions, after he failed to win a second Major in Australia, after his victory at the United States Open last year.

In Indian Wells, where he never passed the round of 16, he will have the task even more difficult as his mind is definitely focused on the war in Ukraine, which Russia has been trying to invade since February 24.

Ukrainian soul supplement

“Personally or emotionally, he could be affected, but I do not think he will have an impact on his level of play,” he said. Instagram Patrick Muratoglou, coach of Serena Williams.

Like his 13 compatriots and the six Belarusians, men and women, participating in the qualifying tournament, Medvedev will play without mentioning his country or representing its flag.

If he recently called for peace, Roland-Garros 2021 finalist Andrey Rublev and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova made them express more directly their opposition to the war started by Russia.

Belarus’ Victoria Azarenka, winner of the Indian Wells in 2012 and 2016, said she was “devastated by the violence in Ukraine.”

Six Ukrainian players will take part, including Elina Svitolina, who threatened to boycott her match against Russia’s Anastasia Potapova in Monterey last week, and Diana Yastremska, who lost Sunday in the final of the Lyon tournament.

These two players who donated their profits to the Ukrainian army and a humanitarian association, will be inspired by an extra soul at a women’s table where, if we trust the WTA rankings, the favorites will be the Czech Barbora Krejcikova (no 2), the Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka (no 3), the Polish Iga Swiatek (no 4) or even the Spaniard Paula Badosa (no 7), defender of the champion.

Unless the Japanese Naomi Osaka, who is plagued by recurring anxiety and dropped to 80th place, climbs the slope.