Despite currently being unable to enter the United States as an unvaccinated foreigner with the 2022 BNP Paribas Open about to begin, Novak Djokovic found himself in the draw on Tuesday afternoon.
“Novak Djokovic is on the tournament entry list, and therefore is placed into the draw today,” the tournament stated immediately after Djokovic’s name showed up at the bottom of the bracket and before the draw ceremony had even concluded. “We are currently in communication with his team; however, it has not been determined if he will participate in the event by getting CDC approval to enter the country. We will provide updates in the future as we learn more.”
Assuming the second-ranked Serb is unable to play, he will be replaced by a lucky loser (Djokovic’s spot may not be taken directly by the lucky loser, as the draw could be shuffled considerably if he officially withdraws prior to the first order of play being made). That would leave Andrey Rublev as the highest-ranked player in the fourth section of the bracket. Djokovic’s exit would open the door not only for Rublev but also for Hubert Hurakcz, Diego Schwartzman, Aslan Karatsev, John Isner, and/or Andy Murray. Currently a potential third-round opponent for Djokovic, Murray could be one of the early beneficiaries of the 20-time Grand Slam champion’s ouster.
Another embattled player is also part of the draw’s bottom half. Alexander Zverev was kicked out of last month’s event in Acapulco for swinging his racket in anger dangerously close to a chair umpire, but he avoided suspension from the ATP can can therefore play in Indian Wells.
Zverev is in a quarter that also includes Matteo Berrettini, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Pablo Carreno Busta, Taylor Fritz, and Marin Cilic. Given the German’s current struggles both on and off the court combined with the fine form of Auger-Aliassime, Fritz, and Cilic, Zverev may not be long for the desert. In fact, even his opening match could be a rough one–against either Grigor Dimitrov or Tommy Paul.
On the other side of the draw are world No. 1 Daniil Medvedev and reigning Australian Open champion Rafael Nadal. They could be in line for a semifinal rematch of their epic Aussie Open final, in which Nadal came back from two sets down and 2-3, 0-40 in the third to triumph after five hours and 24 minutes. Although the 21-time major winner leads the head-to-head series 5-1, the majority of their matches have been final-set thrillers–making it one of the tour’s best rivalries at present.
Of course, there is a long way to go before we get Medvedev-Nadal part seven. Medvedev could run into a red-hot Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round and arch rival Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals. Nadal’s possible path features Sebastian Korda (R2), Dan Evans (R3), Denis Shapovalov (R4), and either Casper Ruud or Jannik Sinner (QF).
The men’s main draw begins on Thursday.
WWW?
Is Zverev playing about money? Guy seems to get away with a lot. I was watching that doubles match and sat in shock at his actions. I don’t understand why he is still on the court.
Novak is a different story, not sure what will happen there. But….it looks like the ATP higher-ups don’t have a clue.
It’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.
My comments keep coming up Anonymous no matter how many times I fill out your form. Name’s Hensley.
I am assuming you are on a phone.
– try registering on a different browser app. If you have no issues, problem is most likely browser relayed.
You could also try uninstalling and reinstalling your web browser app.
Good luck, I know how annoying these things can be.
Not really that annoying, they could just state their name at the start of the post.
What can be more annoying is having a strong uncompromising arrogant opinion on just about every subject …
Why is he in the draw if he’s not allowed to play? Is this going to keep sabotaging tournament after tournament??
Does he understand that this kind of looks like he’s trying to hold the tournaments hostage?
All of this is getting beyond absurd…
PS the non punishment of Zverev is a bad joke.
Amy, it’s indeed ridiculous that Djokovic is in draw! It was absolutely obvious that he would not be able to compete. The ATP is making one double fault after the other right now. Zverev’s “punishment” is a joke!
There are far more important things to worry right now. But the tennis authorities are acting like impotent fools.
Littlefoot, I thought he would do this tbh. When he gave that interview saying he was prepared to miss tournaments for his noble beliefs and people said ‘ wow such integrity! ‘ I remember thinking that this was a PR exercise aimed at putting pressure, via public opinion, on the tennis authorities to let him play and to try and get them to lobby governments on his behalf. It was all so obviously scripted!
And lo and behold that is what he does! I used to like Novax but am now heartily sick of him.
I posted about Zverev’s arrogance in an angry post below. It’s morally wrong imo for any player to behave like that and still be allowed to play.
Yes, Amy, you got that right.
It is obvious that your every word is oozing with bias and hatred towards Djokovic.
So much, that you cannot think clear enough and keep fuming all over.
You should take five. You might feel better.
Haha!
🐕🐕🐕 🌞🌞🌞
Yes, that BBC interview was clearly an attempt at PR damage control. He hasn’t helped himself by waiting until after the draw to “pull out” of IW. But he has also pulled out of Miami so there’s that.
Punished by his conscience but maybe he doesnt have one…
Good God! Zverev’s arrogance is unbelievable! Apparently he was asked about his fave relationships on tour and he said that his fave was him and Novax because ” obviously we are 2 of the top 3 players on tour… ”
So he’s back to his spiel of January is he when he said there was a new big 3 of him Novax and Med who were going to share all the big titles!? Does he have selective amnesia and has conveniently forgotten the AO won by Rafa where he lost in straights in the fourth round?!
He is so dislikable!
Why the hell is he even on court after that appalling attack on the umpire?! The ATP are a joke!
Technically he’s right, judging on ATP ranking. Also him and Novax are 2 of the top 3 jerks on tour at the moment. Nevertheless, most likely he and Novax don’t give a rat’s ass about each other.
Zverev is a spoiled brat, I wonder who from ATP has his back and why. If he manages to stay out of jail for long enough, he might win a GS at some point but that’s about it. He’s basically a nobody in tennis history at this point and hopefully things stay that way.
I see Alcaraz his up to #18 in the live rankings. He is almost certainly going to be in the top 10 by the end of the year unless he gets injured..
Probably going to have a breakthrough tournament at some point..
Yep, Rafa is the clear favourite. He is growing in confidence and he loves these conditions. It will be very tough to beat him here.
Regarding Djokovic being in the draw, yeah it is quite bizarre. I blame the ATP though instead of Novak. I don’t think the latter is at fault here.
I was shocked to see the farcical 8 week ‘suspended ban’ imposed on Zverev. Shame on ATP for this!
He was in the draw because he refused to withdraw even though he had to be vaccinated to get into the USA! Of course it’s his fault!
He withdrew after the draw had been made. This is his choice.
I supported him in the past but not now.
I just went and checked. He refused to withdraw before the draw was made forcing the tournament to put out a statement that he was still in the draw. Then withdrew afterwards.This is all on him.
You’re fuming again.
Remember what the doctor prescribed…
🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕🐕 🌞🌞🌞🌞
Feel is spelt with 2 es not 3 btw…
If you cannot feeeeel the significance of the “transcendental E”, there’s little hope for you.
All you need to know is that it is there to amplify the good vibrations you’re getting.
So, “need-to-know” basis.
Don’t spoil that.
Yeah, it like saying BAAAD instead of just bad.however it needs to be heard spoken for full effect.
R u someone who used to post here Dr Feeeelbad? You sound familiar.
It’s the good vibe that feels familiar.
Bringing back the finest memories of joy and happiness.
Usually it is 90$ per hour, but you’re getting it pro bono…
Not aware of all the technicalities involved but my point is, ATP should have enforced this and not allowed him to be on the draw. Are they not aware of the entry requirements? Why are they letting a player dictate terms like this?
Ok I see vr!!😀
Maybe Ricky can answer? I agree that the situation is absurd.
But surely you agree that his insisting on remaining in the draw and only withdrawing after it was made is bad form?
He said he was willing to forego not being able to play when the country has a vaccine mandate but again he tried to get round it by insisting on being listed and hoping the authorities would cave in thus sabotaging the draw…
I have huge respect for his abilities on a tennis court but I try to refrain from commenting on his off court behavior because I don’t have good things to say in general. Always thought he was gracious in defeat with some issues but yes the whole vaccine saga has really tainted his whole image.
Anyway, the ATP shouldn’t let this happen regardless of what the player does or say.
Looking forward to Rafa smashing the field and making it 21-0.
I really want him to reach no.1 again. I know it is not something he is pursuing but if he stays injury free I think it is going to happen.
Vr, I said at the beginning of the year, before AO, that if Rafa was fit I thought he would win multiple slams.
But we don’t want to get ahead of ourselves do we?😀😀
As long as he is fit I am very upbeat about his chances. You know I am very superstitious and don’t like to make specific predictions!
yep, we are both very confident in Rafa’s abilities 🙂
On a separate note, here’s great view of Rafa’s practice with Alcaraz. Rafa said he is potential future no.1 and multiple slam winner. I totally agree! Carlos is special. If he stays healthy, I think we are looking at an all time great. I know too early to say and we never know how a player’s mental game evolves but he seems to have all the ingredients.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1apo7t6Hrs&t=628s
And here is Rafa vs Tsitsipas practice set. Rafa looking very sharp.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBw5Fy26iTg
Thanx vr!! You are the best!😀
I posted about Alcaraz above. He is already #18 in the live rankings and is heading for the top 10.
I am inclined to agree with you and think he is a cut above Zverev, Tsitsi and co.
He also seems to have some of Rafa’s humility…
‘He also seems to have some of Rafa’s humility’.
100%. This is the impact Rafa’s had on Spain’s youth! They seem his as their hero and it’s great to see Carlos showing humility.
His head is in the right place and I struggle to say the same for Tsitsi, Zverev etc.He is not there yet but I definitely wouldn’t want him to be playing Rafa in early stages of important tournaments haha.
Yes I definitely don’t want him playing Rafa early either! I was saying before the AO that I thought he was able to take out a top seed. Was quite surprised Berrettini beat him.
He can certainly take out Zverev and he has already beaten Tsitsi.
PS Zverev’s ego and the way he talks himself up don’t help him.
Tsitsi also has too much of the peacock about him…
This is a farce with Novak being in the draw! Is this going to happen in Miami, too? He can’t play in the U.S. because he is not vaccinated. So there is no reason to include him in the draw.
This is not complicated.
The suspended ban for Zverev is truly a disgrace.
It may be because Masters are required tournaments for those who are qualified, at least in theory. The Big Three have pulled out of these more or less at will, since there’s some exemptions, especially for the “elderly” player. So if a player is qualified he’s listed as entered and must inform the tournament if he’s not going to play for whatever reason. Otherwise his name goes into the draw. That’s the rule. It’s usually not a problem, and to avoid this situation the ATP would have to, God forbid, CHANGE the rule!
Novak should have withdrawn considering that he himself admitted that he prefers not to play any tourneys rather than take the vaccine. So y is he still in the draw? This thing is such a hot mess!!
I’ve just seen Serena’s comments that she would probably be in jail if she had done what Zverev done. I have been thinking about this enormous double standard because I am absolutely sure that if a woman had lashed out like that they would have received a long ban and been hounded by the press.
Evert agreed with Serena and said he should have been banned for a long time. It’s really wrong that Zverev is on court now. The double standards about a woman showing anger and aggression and being shamed and a man getting a vague tap on the knuckles are appalling.
Amy, I totally agree with you that Zverev’s lenient treatment is a disgrace.
However, I completely disagree with Serena’s statements. She has been playing the woman card repeatedly since her her disgraceful behavior in her US Open final against Naomi Osaka, where the umpire handled the situation absolutely correctly and according to the existing rules. And we should not forget that she didn’t get disqualified! She got point deductions which ultimately led to her loss of the match – which was well on the way even before Serena’s outbursts. And a subsequent look into the statistics of how men’s transgressions have been punished revealed that men are not at all treated more leniently. Serena’s claims are simply not true, and they don’t become true just because they are frequently repeated. Unfortunately many sports journalists chimed in back then who are not well acquainted with the rules of tennis.
As to how women would be treated if they would behave like Zverev – we cannot know that for sure, since to my knowledge no female player in recent history has hit the chair of the umpire – just as no male players have done something like that recently. Therefore the claim that a woman would have been punished harder than Zverev is nothing more than idle speculation.
I have no idea why the ATP was so lenient in Zverev’s case. I think that Zverev’s lofty 3rd rank might’ve protected him to a certain degree – just as Tennis Australia tried all sorts of shenanigans in order to help Djokovic to play at this year’s AO despite his unvaxxed status. Maybe there is some concern amomgst the executives that their products become less attractive without the top-ranked players. If that’s so, they vastly overrate Zverev’s appeal and popularity.
At this moment in time competition for Rafa thid year is looking pretty weak to non existent
Big Al, we don’t know that! This can change quickly! Medvedev and Zverev – especially in best-of-three matches
– are no slouches on hardcourt, and I am sure that Djokovic will be back for the FO and Wimby – maybe even for the US Open. The Corona restrictions are reduced everywhere atm.
Right now Rafa is amongst the top favorites. But that doesn’t there is no serious competition.