Indian Wells preview: Men’s Singles

Indian Wells preview: Men’s Singles

The draw for Indian Wells brings the top players in the world, with such a storied history, many players have made their mark. There are many ways to look for a favourite.
 
Previous winners
Dominic Thiem 
-Austria
-28 years old
-World No.8
-One Grand Slam (US Open 2020)
-One Indian Wells victory (2019) over Federer in the final
-First competed in 2014
-Wrist injury this year
-Won’t compete
 

Juan Martin Del Potro
-Argentina
-33 years old
-Outside top 500
-One Grand Slam (US Open 2009)
-One Indian Wells victory (2018) over Federer in the final
-Two Finals, lost to Nadal (2013)
-First competed in 2007
-Knee injury
-Won’t compete
 

Roger Federer
-Switzerland
-40 years old
-World No.9
-20 grand slams (6x AUS, 1x RG, 8x Wim, 5x US)
-Five Indian Wells victories, defeated Wawrinka (2017), defeated Isner (2012), defeated Blake (2006), defeated Hewitt (2005), defeated Henman (2004)
-Nine Finals, lost to Thiem (2019), lost to Del Potro (2018),  lost to Djokovic (2015), lost to Djokovic (2014)
-First competed in 2002
-Knee injury
-Won’t compete
 

Rafael Nadal
-Spain
-35 years old
-World No.6
-20 grand slams (1x AUS, 13x RG, 2x Wim, 4x US)
-Three Indian Wells victories, defeated Del Potro (2013), defeated Murray (2009), defeated Djokovic (2007)
-Four finals, lost to Djokovic (2011)
-First competed in 2004
-Foot injury
-Won’t compete
 

Novak Djokovic 
-Serbia
-34 years old
-World No.1
-20 grand slams (9x AUS, 2xRG, 6x Wim, 3x US)
-Five Indian Wells victories, defeated Raonic (2016), defeated Federer (2015), defeated Federer (2014), defeated Nadal (2011), defeated Fish (2009)
-Six Finals, lost to Nadal (2007)
-First competed in 2006
-Strong season, three slam victories and a final
-Hard US Open
-Potentially fatigued
-Would have been one of the favourites before his withdrawal

Former Finalists
Milos Raonic 
-Canada
-30 years old
-World No. 33
-2016 Wimbledon finalist
-One Indian Wells final, lost to Djokovic (2016)
-Poor season
-Not on player list

Andy Murray
-Great Britain
-34 years old
-Outside top 100
-Three Grand Slams (2xWim, 1xUS)
-One Indian Wells final, lost to Nadal (2009)
-Still on comeback from hip injury
-Not on player list

 
Stan Wawrinka
-Switzerland
-36 years old
-World No. 46
-Three Grand Slams (1x AUS, 1xRG, 1xUS)
-One Indian Wells final, lost to Federer (2017)
-Recovering from foot injury
-Last minute withdrawal

 
John Isner 
-USA
-36 years old
-World No. 21
-2018 Wimbledon semifinalist
-One Indian Wells final, lost to Federer (2012)
-Poor us open, strong member of team world at the Laver Cup
-Can make a deep run

Top 5 players
Daniil Medvedev
-Russia
-24 years old
-World No.2
-US Open winner (2021)
-Never gone beyond the third round
-Laver cup winner
-Good form
-One of the favourites
 

Alexander Zverev
-Germany
-24 years old
-World No. 4
-US Open Finalist (2020)
-Never gone beyond the fourth round
-Laver Cup winner
-Semi final US Open 2021
-Good form
-One of the favourites

Stefanos Tsitsipas 
-Greece
-23 years old
-World No. 3
-Roland Garros Finalist (2021)
-Never gone beyond the second round
-Tricky us open
-Laver cup winner
-Middling form
-Outside favourite

Andrey Rublev 
-Russia
-23 years old
-World No. 5
-Reached four Grand Slam quarter finals
-Never gone beyond the third round
-Laver cup winner, called MVP
-Good form
-Outside favourite

US Open Success Stories
Matteo Berrettini 
-Italy
-25 years old
-World No. 7
-Wimbledon finalist (2021)
-Never gone beyond second round
-Laver cup winner
-US Open Quarter final
-Good form
-Outside favourite

Felix Auger Aliassime
-Canada
-21 years old
-World No. 11
-US Open semi-finalist (2021)
-Never gone beyond the third round
-Good form
-Outsider

 
Lloyd Harris 
-South Africa
-24 years old
-World No. 32
-US Open quarter-finalist (2021)
-Never made it out of qualifying
-Good form
-Could make a good run

Carlos Alcaraz
-Spain
-18 years old
-World No. 38
-US Open quarter-finalist (2021)
-Never competed before
-Good form
-Could make a good run