Djokovic Indian Wells withdrawal could be blessing as he targets record
Novak Djokovic will not feature at the Indian Wells Masters next week which a former player believes will help him achieve another record.
The Serbian exhausted every avenue to try and find a pathway to compete in the US. However, the States’ longstanding Covid vaccine mandate means the un-jabbed world no.1 will once again be watching the year’s first Masters 1000 event on the sidelines.
But Eurosport expert Mats Wilander thinks the rest the enforced break will benefit the 35-year-old when preparing to win a record 23rd Grand Slam title at the French Open. “He can be fresh for the clay-court season, he can be more fresh for the French Open,” Wilander explained.
“He's already No. 1 in the world. He's already broken all the records when it comes to No. 1. So what difference does it make if he wins another Indian Wells or Miami? He doesn't have to deal with the problem of confidence. Most players do. Novak Djokovic seems to not need a lot of confidence to just walk back into the circle of champions and start winning again. So I think that on clay it'd be great for him. He's going to have a better preparation season.”
Djokovic fell short in his quest of winning Roland Garros last year, falling to great rival Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals as the Spaniard went on to win the title. That marked the 22nd major of his career, a record the Serbian equalled by winning the Australian Open in January.
Novak Djokovic won Australian Open despite playing with major hamstring tear
This year’s edition of the clay-court Grand Slam will certainly be one of the most highly anticipated events in tennis history as both legends of the sport battle to tie Serena Williams’ open-era Grand Slam record of 23. For Wilander, another French Open victory for the tennis icon is paramount as he aims to keep his hopes of achieving the elusive calendar Grand Slam alive.
“He needs to win the French Open for sure because I think this might be his last chance at the Calendar Grand Slam,” the Swede added. “I really feel like that's in his wheelhouse. I was surprised that he didn't do it a couple of years ago and I'll be surprised again because watching him play at Australian Open, there is no backing off.
“He's not getting worse, he's not getting older. In fact, he's just getting better. So to me, the less tennis he plays, the better it is for him to win majors. I think for someone that has children and a family, and that is a family man, I think that the stop and go is the absolute perfect situation.
The Serbian's great rival Rafael Nadal is currently recovering from a hip injury as he bids to be ready fo the French Open (Andy Cheung/Getty Images)“He’s proven that he must have a great situation at home because he comes when he's fresh, he's so good, he's not as frustrated, he plays as well. In fact, he plays more aggressively. So I think it's a plus.”
Nadal is also missing the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments as he recovers from a hip injury sustained at the Australian Open in January. Last week the 36-year-old took to social media to post footage of him doing a workout and provided an update of his progress amid his return to full fitness.
“It’s been a while since I have communicated with you,” Nadal wrote. “Took my time off, started rehab, gym and physiotherapy as instructed by the doctors.
"Getting ready to come back in the best conditions. I am sad that I won’t be able to compete at Indian Wells nor Miami. Very sad not to be there. I’ll miss all my US fans but I hope to see them later this year during the summer swing."
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