Tennis: “The level of tennis is one thing, the ghost of injuries is another”, will Rafael Nadal remove doubts ?

Enième retour pour l'Espagnol Rafael Nadal, qui va tenter l'exploit de revenir au sommet. AAP – JONO SEARLE

Rafaël Nadal, désormais 652e joueur mondial, a une obsession : retrouver la forme pour Roland-Garros et les JO. En est-il capable ?  Première réponse cette semaine à Indian Wells Indian, où Djokovic effectue également son retour. 

The Spaniard Rafael Nadal must embark on a new comeback attempt at the Masters 1000 in Indian Wells (California, United States), which begins Wednesday, to remove doubts about the face of his season 2024, possibly his last.

The Majorcan legend with 22 Grand Slam titles, the last in 2022, is expected in the evening session on Thursday to begin the first Masters 1000 of the tennis season, on hard court. Having fallen to 652nd place in the world and therefore not seeded, Nadal will face the Canadian Milos Raonic before a possible spicy second round against the Dane Holger Rune, world No.7.

The Spaniard, who suggested that the 2024 season could be his last, dreams of being competitive for the clay court season and especially at Roland-Garros for his fortnight favorite (May 20-June 9) then for the Paris Olympic Games (July 26-August 11).

Already withdrawn from the Australian Open

He missed almost the entire 2023 season and underwent two operations to repair a hip, before announcing his return in December. After playing three matches in Brisbane in January, he had to withdraw from the Australian Open immediately after suffering a muscle injury.

Last Saturday, he was able to measure himself during an exhibition in Las Vegas (United States) against his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, world No.2 and defending champion at Indian Wells. –

"During the first set, I played at a good level, even though it had been a long time since I had played (…), I felt much better than expected", commented "Rafa". "The level of tennis is one thing, the ghost of injuries is another", he added during a lost match (3-6, 6-4, 14-12).

Nadal lost the final during his last visit to Indian Wells in 2022 against the American Taylor Fritz. He has already won the tournament three times (2007, 2009 and 2013).

Djokovic also back after a month of absence

The return of another fantastic is expected, that of the Serbian Novak Djokovic, who has not played since the end of January and his defeat in the semi-final of the ;Australian Open against the Italian Jannik Sinner.

"Nole" has not lined up at Indian Wells for five years, missing a few editions due to not wanting to be vaccinated against Covid-19. Welcome again in the United States since last summer, the record holder for Grand Slam titles (24) remains in the Californian tournament following an elimination in the 3rd round in 2019 against the German Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Humbert-Djoko in the 8th final 

The Serbian world No.1 has nevertheless already lifted the trophy five times (2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016) and is chasing the 99th title of his career.

Among the Blues, Ugo Humbert arrives fired up after his victory at the ATP 500 in Dubai on Saturday, and crowned with his best world ranking, 14th. He could meet Djokovic in the 8th final.