Since the entry of software billionaire Larry Ellison, the tournament at Indian Wells has blossomed into a fifth Grand Slam. No tennis professional would have thought of voluntarily leaving the program in a retiree’s paradise in the California desert. Even the Williams sisters held back after boycotting the tournament for 14 years due to the alleged racist hostility of the spectators.

injured or tired

Everything is different this year. After a year’s interruption, the tournament will take place again, but due to the pandemic it will take place in October as usual in March. It also means that many top stars are injured or simply tired. Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic with five titles along with record winner, Rafael Nadal and defending champion Dominic Thiem ended their season a long time ago due to injuries and operations. Djokovic is tired of missing out on the glorious glory of his year at the Olympic Games and the US Open.

In Tokyo he lost to Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals and went home without a medal, in New York he lost the calendar Grand Slam against Daniil Medvedev in the final, with which he could stand out from Federer and Nadal. Russian Medvedev, 25, and Olympic champion Zverev, who is a year younger than him, are top favorites at Indian Wells. Djokovic’s top spot in the world rankings is currently not in danger. He loses only 203 points, while Medvedev, among other things, is 1000 points out of the rankings from the victory of the 2019 tournament in Shanghai.

Indian Wells is giving the tennis world a glimpse into the future when the Big 3 has completely left the big stage. With 21-year-old US Open semifinalist Felix Auger-Aliasime, Miami finalist Janic Sinar, who is a year younger, or Spanish teenager and sensational US Open quarterfinalist Carlos Alcaraz, the younger generation is already knocking on the door. Big door.

Bencic leads Swiss trio

For women, the change of guard has already taken place after the US Open, with Canada’s entry into the teen final between Emma Raducanu and Leyla Fernandez. Oddly, the Englishwoman needed a wildcard as she was not in the top 100 six weeks ago and is now at number 17. Ashley along with Barty (Fatigue) and Aryna Sabalenka (Coronavirus) No 1 and 2 are missing in the world. Switzerland is represented by a trio that can certainly expect good results.

Belinda Bencic did not seriously injure herself while doing her job in Chicago. The Olympic champion is number 8 in the tournament and is looking to advance to the quarter-finals for the first time since Tokyo. Jill Tekman is ranked 31st for the first time at the Masters 1000 level. He and Bencic would only have to win a game each, then they would meet in the third round. Viktorija Golubic has work to do in the first round – and that’s up against Olympic finalist Marketa Vondrosova.