Indian Wells 2022: Everything you need to know
What's the story
The main event of the Indian Wells 2022 event is all set to start tonight with the qualifiers going currently. The 1000-level event features nine of the Top 10 WTA players. 2018 champion Naomi Osaka returns to this event for the first time since 2019. In the men's section, Daniil Medvedev is competing as the No. 1 player in the ATP Rankings.
Men's singles
Focus on world number one Medvedev
Medvedev has a 5-4 record here. Last year, Medvedev had reached the round of 16 before losing a three-set battle in the round of 16 against Grigor Dimitrov. Medvedev is 12-3 this season and has fared well at ATP Masters 1000s, winning four of his 13 tour-level trophies. He has won at least once at this level in each of the past three seasons.
Context
Why does this story matter?
The BNP Paribas Open is an outdoor hard court tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. It will feature 96 singles players and a 32-team doubles field. As per WTA, the tournament uses Penn Tour Regular Duty balls. In the men's section, Medvedev leads 19 of the world's Top 20 players. The 26-year-old Medvedev is chasing his first title in the California desert.
Rafa
Nadal can continue his dream run
2022 Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal has enjoyed a career-best 15-0 start to the season. Rafa is a three-time champion at this event and is competing her for the first time since 2019. The Spaniard has a win-loss record of 54-10 record at the Masters 1000 event. The 35-year-old Rafa will try to claim a record-tying 37th crown at this level.
Djokovic
Djokovic included in draw for Indian Wells Masters
Serbian Novak Djokovic has seen his name in the draw in Indian Wells. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has not received a COVID-19 vaccination and was forced to exit the Australian Open. Having a COVID-19 certificate is obligatory for any non-US citizen wishing to enter the country. The tournament organisers admitted they don't know yet if he will participate in the event.
Krejcikova
Barbora Krejcikova pulls out of Indian Wells
Women's singles top seed Barbora Krejcikova has withdrawn from this week's Indian Wells Masters tournament after failing to overcome an arm injury. "I am extremely disappointed and sad to withdraw from the BNP Paribas Open," said Krejcikova as per AFP. "I was looking forward to playing in Indian Wells very much but unfortunately I won't be able to do so this year," she said.
Information
Key details about women's singles players
Ahead of the tourney, World No.1 Ashleigh Barty, 2022 Australian Open finalist Danielle Collins, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Camila Giorgi had withdrawn from the event. Spaniard Paula Badosa is the defending champion, winning her maiden WTA 1000 title.