Rafael Nadal has traveled the world competing on the ATP World Tour, but the Spaniard says that one place has a special place in his heart. Speaking to the Indian Wells faithful on a brisk Friday night at the BNP Paribas Open, following a first-round doubles victory with Bernard Tomic, Nadal conveyed his admiration for the first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event of the year. Nestled in the sun-drenched Coachella Valley, it's tennis in paradise. "It's no doubt that these are my two favorite weeks of the year," said Nadal. Nadal returns to his happy hunting ground in the California desert, having lifted the trophy on five occasions - three times in singles and twice in doubles. The 29...
Doubles was the hot ticket on Friday at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, with Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal all taking the court ahead of their singles campaigns. Teaming up with Bernard Tomic, Nadal survived a tense second-set tie-break to secure a 6-4, 7-6(7) victory over Pablo Carreno Busta and Joao Sousa in the night session on Stadium 1. Nadal and Tomic, playing together for the first time, let slip three match points at 6/3 in the tie-break, but regrouped to convert their fourth opportunity after one hour and 33 minutes. Nadal is a former doubles champion at the BNP Paribas Open, lifting the trophy in 2010 and 2012 with Marc Lopez, who was courtside to watch his...
In an all-American first-round clash at the BNP Paribas Open on Friday, Donald Young overcame #NextGenATP player Stefan Kozlov 7-5, 7-6(5) in just under two hours. Young, who goes on to face another American in No. 23 seed Sam Querrey, enjoyed strong showings on home soil last month, reaching back-to-back semifinals in Memphis (l. to Harrison) and Delray Beach (l. to Sock). He has an 8-4 mark on the season and is now bidding to reach the third round at this ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament for the fourth time. Ninth seed Roger Federer will open his bid for a fifth Indian Wells crown against Stephane Robert after the Frenchman defeated Dudi Sela 6-4, 6-4. [ALSO LIKE] Great Britain’s...
Professional tennis players are creatures of habit. Often reluctant to accept change in their daily routine and training regimen, even the most minor of tweaks is often a significant step. But for Steve Johnson, the most impactful change was the easiest to make. During the offseason, the American committed himself to a stricter diet, ditching his favourite fatty foods for healthier options. With the competition on the ATP World Tour stronger than ever, Johnson is hoping the extra edge will aide in his ascent up the Emirates ATP Rankings. “It’s taken a few months of planning,” Johnson told ATP World Tour Uncovered. “It’s something that I’ve really wanted to implement over the years, but I just wasn’t able to find...
Kyle Edmund got his BNP Paribas Open campaign off to a flying start on Friday, scoring a convincing 6-1, 6-3 win over Gastao Elias at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Edmund didn’t drop serve and broke Elias twice in each set to secure the win in 66 minutes. He will now face three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the second round. "The things [Djokovic] does well are making a lot of balls and being quick around the court. It's tough to get the ball by him and break him down,” said Edmund. “These are things that I've experienced the last two times I've played him. I'll try and use that on Sunday." [ALSO LIKE] American #NextGenATP player Taylor Fritz recorded...
