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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 29: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams attend Arthur Ashe Kids Day 2015 at the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Uri Schanker/FilmMagic)
via Imago
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 29: Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Serena Williams attend Arthur Ashe Kids Day 2015 at the US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2015 in New York City. (Photo by Uri Schanker/FilmMagic)
The Indian Wells is one of the important tournaments in the calendar year. Usually, it is the first 1000 events played in the season, and players from the ATP and WTA compete for the title. Usually, players such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Serena Williams are the big names present.
However, this time we are not going to see any of them. And also joining the list of absentees are Novak Djokovic, Ashleigh Barty, and Naomi Osaka, who are skipping the event too. In the current season, there have been a few notable events where tennis fans have not seen Federer, Nadal, or Williams compete. The most notable was the US Open 2021.
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Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s absence will be felt
The Swiss maestro and the Spanish star ended their seasons early as they were dealing with injuries. Federer had to undergo a third knee surgery, and he was going to be away from the Tour for a considerable amount of time. Rafa has also been struggling with a foot injury since the French Open.
Read more: “Hope to Qualify for the Main Draw”: When Roger Federer Didn’t Expect Too Much From Grand Slams
He had gone to Washington but ended his journey early in the tournament. He decided to fly back home in order to repair the damage and concentrate on the upcoming 2022 season. On the other hand, Williams has not been seen on Tour since the Wimbledon Championships exit.
Top stars Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka will be missed too
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She withdrew from the US Open due to a hamstring injury. Osaka withdrew from the event as she wanted to take a break from tennis. She had been dealing with mental issues during the season.
via Getty
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – MARCH 20: (L-R) Naomi Osaka of Japan, Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Serena Williams of the United States and Roger Federer of Switzerland perform the ribbon cutting ceremony on the new Stadium Court at the Hard Rock Stadium, before the first match of the Miami Open on March 20, 2019 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by TPN/Getty Images)
As compared to the previous years, the 2021 edition of the Indian Wells was postponed and will be held from the 4th of October and will go on till the 17th of October. Former Grand Slam champions Stan Wawrinka and Dominic Thiem will not be present either.
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However, on the bright side, players such as Andy Murray, Carlos Alcaraz, and Emma Raducanu will be present, and well-established players such as Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alexander Zverev will be competing for the title.
Watch this story: Top Seeds Naomi Osaka, John Isner, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev and Others Who Faced Huge Upsets at US Open
