The Indian Wells draw was performed today.
Three-time champion (2007, 2009, 2013) Rafael Nadal returns to Indian Wells as the No. 5 seed with a 48-8 record in the desert. After a first round bye, Rafa will face either the winner of a match between Guillermo Garcia-Lopez and Guido Pella.
If the draw holds to quarterfinals, we would have:
- Andy Murray vs Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
- Stan Wawrinka vs Dominic Thiem
- Marin Cilic vs Kei Nishikori
- Rafael Nadal vs Novak Djokovic
Rafa’s potential route to the final:
- 1st round: Bye
- 2nd round: Guillermo Garcia-Lopez or Guido Pella
- 3rd round: Fernando Verdasco
- 4th round: Roger Federer
- Quarter-final: Novak Djokovic
- Semi-final: Kei Nishikori
- Final: Andy Murray
GOOD LUCK & VAMOS RAFA!
Rafa is down to play in the doubles on Friday , I am so hoping it will be televised , but we don’t usually get to see them (UK). Another great double pairing is Tsonga with Goffin and wawrinka with Dimitrov . It’s going to be an exciting week.
You bet it is, Maria (England). You bet it is.
But as always, we’ll see…………hmmmn
That is just a nasty draw… Almost like here Andy here’s the trophy! Whatever happens Rafa will really enjoy himself! From what I understand he stays at Larry Ellison’s mansion & loves playing golf in the desert, so it is a very good time for him. He’s won three times before so VAMOS RAFA! Knock them off one game at a time!
Hmmnn…..wish I could share in your enthusiasm, Sioux!
But, as always, we’ll see…………Hmnnn
There is a heat wave in California and it’s going to be Almost 100° by Tuesday in the desert! This is dangerous weather to play any sport in and we all know that Novak can’t take the heat. Also We had a very wet winter after years of a drought and there will be all kinds of pollen in the air…another hindrance for Novak and his asthma. I’m not wishing this on Novak I’m just reporting what I heard… I actually wish him all the best … Just not against Rafa!
Sioux, I haven’t read anything about Novak in a long time but I thought most of his health issues subsided/disappeared after he started his gluten-free diet. That’s when he started winning big. Is this material you read recent material?
It’s a shame when any athlete is sidelined by injury or illness. I remember reading about Dolgopolov so long ago. He may have gone much further were it not for his illness.
Rafa’s quarter is like a tournament within a tournament. He said to be the best you have to play against the best. I hope he does what I know he can do, because he can.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa looked so crisp during the doubles, ie the latter part of the second set that I caught. A good win for him and Tomic, and a great show for the fans I’m sure.
@Margo, I think the players expend way less energy during doubles than they do in singles. For Rafa it’s him having some good fun, and keeping sharp his net game as well. Also maybe it’s practice time for him too, so instead of hitting the practice court and hitting a million forehands, he gets in a good workout playing doubles and makes some money on the side as well to buy the plane tickets back home or to the next tournament:):)
Wow Maria (England)! Your comment was soooo long! Rather like a news article! It shows your passion but you clearly got carried away. Apologies accepted. I’m not interested in Nick Kyrgios because, although he’s a real talent, he’s been totally disrespectful of the game of tennis, players, spectators and officials from day one. When and if he reforms, casting away his antics, I’ll take interest. I prefer to be entertained by great tennis and a real hunger to win.
Very well said, Lorna and I completely agree! Sport is not just about talent and winning.. it is about sportsmanship and setting a good example. Nobody does that better than Rafael Nadal!
Lorna, I totally agree regarding Kyrgios. As an Australian I hang my head in shame at his behaviour. I don’t care how well he plays he is a disgrace to the tennis world.
It makes one appreciate the sportsmanship of Rafa and those like him who are gentlemen as well as great players.
Interesting draw which should make for some rewarding viewing for us fans.
If Rafa meets Federer and wins, I hope he doesn’t have to play the Djoker, because as much as Djoker may be having problems lately, he will relish a battle against Rafa because he knows that just standing across the net from Rafa is enough to make Rafa’s confidence take a dive.
But first things first… a match at a time I guess. This should be fun!
Which interview was it that Rafa said, “…..he [Novak] knows that just standing across the net from him [Rafa] is enough to make his [Rafa’s] confidence take a dive?” If that were the case, I would stop believing that Rafa can beat Novak, as he has done so many times before.
RAFA ROCKS
Hi Margo… it was an interview on 06/03/2016 on Breitbart ‘News’ that Rafa gave:)
Just kidding of course. I’m just saying… when was the last time Rafa took a set off the Djoker? Djokovic knows this, and Rafa knows this, and it surely features in the dynamics whenever they meet now.
I certainly hope to be proved wrong, and that Rafa has banished those demons inside his head.
Ah Ha! That trusted “news” outlet. LOL
I asked because I felt that Rafa’s lack of confidence was due to a confluence of serious health issues and losing matches, in general. I dread the thought that Novak would have that much power over Rafa. Let’s hope that Breitbart still has it wrong.
If Rafa sticks to his schedule, from here on in, he will have two weeks of rest after Miami. Then it is literally two months of non-stop competition, which culminates with the French Open, May 22-June 11. We all know that he feels he must compete in order to stay “fresh,” but I hope he doesn’t bite off more than he can chew.
I’d like to know your opinion of him playing doubles at IW. Needless to say, I just don’t want him to over tax his body. By the time he retires, I will be prematurely grey.
RAFA ROCKS
Vamos mi Rafa tu eres un verdadero champion, te deseo lo mejor de las suertes y Vamos a ganar Rafa VamooooooooooooooooosRafa
Sorry for the essay 😴
Good to see all the top seeds in one tournament. Rafa does have a tough draw ,but if the start of this year has taught be anything its not to automatically expect to see the main men in the semi/ finals. Roger and Andy might have won a tournament but Rafa managed to reach the final of both that he attended ,that’s has to be a good sign. Beverley I have just read one of your recent posts, Nick Kyrgios is no reflection of how people view the lovely Australian people , the responsibility of his antics and behaviour sit firmly on his shoulders ,so don’t worry . The UK has a player Dan Evan and dare I say he comes across a bit thuggish , luckily he’s not that well known at the moment but I am very proud of what Andy Murray has achieved for us . I hope Nick will behave in Indian Wells though in not holding my breath.
I did have a read up on him ,as I have heard him say he doesn’t like tennis but loves basketball. I don’t agree with his behaviour but as I thought he was pushed into tennis by his parents ( now I understand why they never gave him a good kick up the backside ) when he wanted to carry on with basketball. I don’t understand why they would do that maybe there’s more money to be made in tennis . Kyrgios has said he likes to play to the spectators and goes out to entertain while other players don’t interact with the crowd and are to serious. Newsflash Nick , people go to watch great tennis not a comedy show.Players like Rafa take it serious because they want to be at the top of their game and have dedicated most of their life to the game , coming before family and a social life. About Rafa , nick said ,” me and Rafa don’t talk much ” but he would like to change that. He said they didn’t have the greatest relationship like him and Roger (really) but he was more than open to having lunch with the guy or something like that. Wow what a great opportunity for you Rafa(hehe) now you’re academy is in partnership with Tennis Australia you can take him up on his offer next time he’s in Spain . Perhaps you could take him out for a piece of humble pie LOL
Hmmnn………But as always, we’ll see
All the best of luck sweet Rafa ❤️🍀🤗
VAMOS CHAMP! 🎾💪🏼😘
This draw is so unbalanced with Rafa, Roger, Djokovic, Del Potro, Kyrgios, all on the one side and Andy Murray with little opposition on the other.
I like Andy and the draw is not his fault but he must be overjoyed to see it.
On the other side there will be some upsets quite early in the tournament ( ie, Roger and Rafa in round 4.). One of them will have to go . Such a shame. However it will be interesting to see which of the top guys survive to reach the finals.
I hope one of them will be Rafa. But a healthy and fit Rafa. It would be a tragedy if he wore himself out with the clay season not far off.
One good factor is that the players don’t play every day at Indian Wells which gives them some recovery time.
My very best wishes and all my support for Rafa for a successful tournament.
A great chance to get some sort of revenge on the Weak Era King, now that Rafa will have the chance to play him in well rested state.
Yes, Rafa’s half of the draw is definitely overloaded but upsets happen, so no one is guaranteed a safe passage. I’m there’ll be a few banana skins along the way! He should view this tournament as a measure of where his tennis is at right now and what he needs to improve on heading towards RG. Rafa, your confidence Is growing so don’t loose it. Your net play is fantastic so come in more to finish points early when you can. GO FOR IT RAFA!!!
Very tough draw. Point by point, round by round…good luck and Vamos Rafa <3
I was pleasantly surprised to learn, as of this writing, that PollDaddy has Rafa as the overwhelming favorite to win the “Group of Death.”
Rafa, so many believe in you, you MUST believe in yourself.
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa’s draw is to say the least the ‘Group of Death’
It’s so bad and honestly speaking I don’t see Rafa going beyond round 3 or 4.
Rafa should just go in there and just, just….I mean just have fun. He shouldn’t even try to win at all. The group is beyond him.
Novak can lose to anybody, but not Nadal and Rafa sure as hell knows this. Fernando also knows one or two things about playing Rafa and winning. So……….
But hopefully, I should release my predictions – set by set, game by game – in the next 3 days. I know all Rafamaniacs here can’t wait to read my predictions. Please exercise some patience.
But as always, we’ll see……………………….hmnn
Also, a very impressive tournament already for Tommy Hass as the new IW tournameny director! Wonder if there’s sth the behind the scene or it’s just pure coincidence.
At any rate as much I want Rafa to win this especially after the last two finals, I hope he doesn’t get into some gruelling death matches so that his health is affected. Clay season begins right after this IW-M swing and it’s so unfairly packed!
2017 is gonna be fun! Lots of “unsual” stuff happened already. Now the most lop-sided draw in the M1000 history too? 3 ATGs in the same quarter? Throw in some Del Poltro, Kyrgios and A. Zverev to boot? Not to mention a potential Dimitrov in the semi. Anyone gets through this draw to reach the final should be crowned the champion already. Sleepless nights here I come…
Good luck and good health, Rafa 🍀🎾💪🏻🏆. Hope you’ll enjoy this challenge and take out both Federer AND Djokovic at once this time!!
See you in the Desert-good luck-stay tough and healthy.💪💪👊👊👊👍👍👍👍❣️🌴🌴🌴
GOOD LUCK RAFA. I KNOW IT IS NOT AN EASY DRAW. BUT, WE ALL KNOW, YOU WILL GIVE YOUR BEST. LOVE YOU DEAR. STAY FIT STAY HEALTHY, IS MY PRAY FOR YOU.
LOVE YOU ALWAYS. 💓💜💘💝💔💟💗❤💛💖
OMG, Rafa’s quarter is being described as the toughest in history for him, Roger, and Novak. I am not going to dwell on it, because I see several upsets occurring. I just hope Rafa is not one of them. IW should be an incredible contest and we may well have a surprise winner. I just want Rafa to play well and stay healthy. If he does, good news will follow!
Rafa’s quarter is being referred to as the “Group of Death.”
As I see it, tough but not insurmountable. I hope Rafa looks at it as a challenge to be met and conquered. One match at a time.
RAFA ROCKS
Third time is a charm. This one is yours. 2 2nd place that were so close. Wish all the best.
It doesn’t work that way, Judy K Allen. It just doesn’t work out that way, trust me. This is not a Child’s play or something.
But as always, we’ll see………………Hmmn
I hope you to be winter. I always cheer for you,Rafa.
Go get everybody Rafa
Yes Rafa can!
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa, you can beat all these guys blindfolded. Take off the blindfolds Rafa, and have ’em begging for mercy.
BEST OF LUCK
RAFA ROCKS
Rafa can beat Roger and Novak blindfolded? I’d need to see it to believe it?!
Never knew you to be this witty, Margo.
Stop daydreaming and wake up to reality, Margo!!!
But as always, we’ll see…………….Hmmnn
Omg what even is this draw! The bottom quarter is completely loaded with Fed, Nadal, Djokovic, Kyrgios, Zverev. Murray is very lucky lol, anyways I’m confident rafa can go far 🙂
Can’t wait! Good luck and vamos Rafa!
This is going to be a fantastic tournament – Roger in 4th round and novak in the quarters – we hope!