The Spanish Rafael Nadal shook the tournament this Wednesday Indian Wellswhen announcing his retirement for not feeling prepared to compete at his best on the eve of his debut, on a day in which Spain He also lost another representative, the 2021 champion, due to injury. Paula Badosa.
It was not a positive opening day for Spanish and Latin tennis. The Spanish Sara Sorribes, on the WTA circuit, and the Argentine Pedro Cachín and the Colombian Daniel Galán fell in the first round.
In addition, the rain forced the day to be interrupted around 9:00 p.m. local time. Among the matches that were left unfinished was the duel between the Spanish Nuria Párrizas against the American McCartney Kessler (3-2 in the first set for the Grenadine).
Nadal, three-time champion in Indian Wellsreported his resignation in the Californian afternoon: “I have been working hard and training and you all know that I have done a test this weekend (in an exhibition with Carlos Alcaraz in Las Vegas), but I am not ready to play at the highest level in such an important event.”
“It is not an easy decision. It’s very harsh indeed, but I can’t lie to myself and lie to thousands of fans. I will miss you and I am sure that this tournament will be a great success,” concluded the man from Manacor.
Sumit Nagal, takes his place
Nadal He was going to debut this Thursday against the Canadian Milos Raonic in a match that should mark his return to competing in official matches after the muscle micro-tear suffered in Brisbane. His place in the main draw was taken by Sumit Nagalof India.
Cachín lost 6-7(7), 6-4 and 6-1 against the German Yannick Hanfmann, against whom he had lost the only precedent last year in Mallorca. Hanfmann will play the second round against the Dutchman Tallon Greek track.
The Colombian Galán was also eliminated at the first opportunity, beaten 6-4 and 6-1 in one hour and 45 minutes by the Japanese Taro Daniel.
One of the most anticipated matches of the opening day was played by the Americans Brandon Nakashima y Christopher Eubanks. The first ended up triumphing 6-3 and 7-6(3).
Alcaraz will face Arnaldi
Alcaraz met his first rival at the start of his title defense. It will be the Italian Matteo Arnaldinumber 40 in the world, who won 7-6(6) and 7-6(3) against the Frenchman Luca Van Assche.
Alcaraz beat Arnaldi in the only precedent, played in the 2023 United States Open.
The Masters 1,000 of Indian Wells It will also mark the Serbian’s return to Californian cement Novak Djokovic.
Djokovicworld number one and five-time champion in Indian Wellswill meet this Thursday his rival, who will be one among the Japanese Shintaro Mochizuki and the Australian Aleksandar Vukic.
Djokovic does not play in Indian Wells since 2019, due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent failure to comply with US vaccination requirements.
In the circuit WTA, Sorribes, world number 50, was defeated 6-1 and 6-1 in an hour and a quarter by the Czech Marie Bouzkova, world number 40. The Spaniard only kept one turn at serve and lost for the second time in four previous matches against this rival.
Badosa will not be in Indian Wells either
The tournament also lost the also Spanish Paula Badosachampion in Indian Wells in 2021, who resigned due to injury a few hours after his debut against Ashlyn Krueger.
“I am very sorry that I have to withdraw from my favorite tournament. I tried everything to play, but it wasn’t enough. I am having a complicated period with injuries, but I fight every day to return as soon as possible,” wrote Badosa, champion of this tournament in 2021, on her Instagram account.
“I want to thank the fans who continue to support me, particularly in the last year. I’m sorry I haven’t given you what you expect from me and that I’ve only given you bad news lately. I want to thank the tournament for the invitation letter, you are the best tournament in the world,” he added.
Badosa has not competed since February 19 in Dubaiwhen he fell against the Swiss Lulu Sun. EFE
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