The 2019 BNP Paribas Masters draw was revealed on Friday and the top three men are all still scheduled to play. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic leads the way as the top seed, while Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are on a collision course for the semifinals in the bottom half.
Nadal has not played an ATP tournament since winning the U.S. Open, instead taking time off–aside from the Laver Cup–to nurse a wrist/hand issue and to get married. The Spaniard can clinch the year-end No. 1 ranking with a title in Paris, but he has never lifted the trophy at this event.
In fact, Nadal has played the Paris Masters only six times and has not completed it since 2015 (he withdrew prior to the quarterfinals in his only appearance since then in 2017). At the end of a long year, it is always rare for almost all of the best players in the world to be healthy and ready to go for the final tournament of the proverbial regular season. This time around, however, the Big 3 are also joined in the field by Daniil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Matteo Berrettini, and defending champion Karen Khachanov. Of the top 17 men in the world, only Kei Nishikori (elbow injury) is missing.
That means all eight players currently in Nitto ATP Finals position are in Paris. Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, Medvedev, Thiem, and Tsitsipas have clinched spots. Zverev and Berrettini are both looking good in seventh and eighth place, respectively. Roberto Bautista Agut is within realistic striking distance but must reach at least the Paris quarters.
If the seeds hold to form, quarterfinal matchups would be Djokovic vs. Tsitsipas, Medvedev vs. Thiem, Federer vs. Zverev, and Nadal vs. Khachanov.
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who ya got?
Ricky, do you know if FAA is injured? I am hoping he is just tired after his first season on the pro tour.
FAA injured his ankle in training. Don’t know the details but I think he pulled out of the NextGen finals.
Yes, FAA pulled out of the NextGen finals:
https://www.instagram.com/p/B4ABzggHJBc/
Djokovic over Federer for the title
As Ricky has pointed out, Rafa has rarely played in Paris and when he has, he’s always been nursing an injury so as this is the first time he will be fully fit I’ll have to wait and see how it goes. His draw is not bad, only Federer might be a challenge in the SF so we’ll see.
Federer is unsure if he’ll actually play in Paris in order to rest for the WTF. If he wins Basel, he might pull out.
Roger Federer Unsure About Playing Rolex Paris Masters 2019
By Mahalakshmi Murali -October 23, 2019
https://www.essentiallysports.com/roger-federer-unsure-about-playing-rolex-paris-masters-2019/
Thanks Ramara & Augusta for the info
I think Rafa’s quarterfinal opponent is more likely to be Berrettini, who could be trouble as Moya says the Paris surface is fast and doesn’t give much bounce.
Paris is slower than Basel but low ball bounce is Rafas problem.
Fed pulled out:
https://twitter.com/RolexPMasters/status/1188741780751167490
Man overboard!
Seppi has replaced Federer in the draw.
has Nole been fishing?
it was this big man, I’m telling ya..
Test
Gasquet is out:
https://twitter.com/RolexPMasters/status/1188837137665417219
Testing the word “Richard”.
Richard G. withdrew due to a knee injury:
https://twitter.com/RolexPMasters/status/1188837137665417219
Richard’s family name is a censored word – my post didn’t show up, when I used it.
😱
Gasquet Has been replaced by Corentin Moutet a LL from France.
Corentin Moutet a French LL has replaced Richard G in the draw.