IW: The Draw
Photo by Beth Wilson
The Indian Wells draw was performed today and here’s the results. After a first round bye, Rafa will play the winner of a match between Ryan Harrison and Go Soeda.
Seeds in Rafa’s quarter are: Youzhny, Seppi, Tipsaravic, Isner, Wawrinka, Benneteau and Federer. Seeds in his half include: Berdych, F Mayer, Janowicz, Gasquet, Simon, Kohlschreiber, Verdasco and Ferrer. Seeds in the top half are: Djokovic, Dimitrov, Querrery, Monaco, Cilic, Raonic, Fish, Tsonga, Murray, Klizan, Dolgopolov, Nishikori, Almagro, Haas, Chardy and Del Potro.
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This is a good draw for Rafa. He’s clearly feeling good mentally and is moving well (a very definite sign of confidence in his knee). He’s chosen to play at IW to continue his ‘rehab’ and to compete – and has the chance to go deep into the tournament, which is exactly what everyone wants him to do. Vamos, Rafa – and keep looking after those knees.
plus we might get to see a FEDAL contest finally after long time :)
Worst draw for Fed though :D:D
this is kinda funny…with him being out for what 8 months?
analysts back at tennis.com still thinks that a nole/rafa final is gonna happen which is fantastic! but let’s be realistic here, i don’t think an early round upset is in the works but rafa going all the way to the finals will definitely be the comeback story so far!
Haha ‘fedal’ love it :) can’t wait to see what Nadal has in store for future matches
I wish you well Rafa…go get them!
As long as his knees hold up and he continues to enjoy being back I’m not worried about how far he goes. In fact there’s a bit of me that rather he went out relatively early, missed Miami and focused on the European clay court season. In other words looking after those knees! On the other hand I don’t want him falling too low in the ranking for RG but I do want him able to play at RG. Worries, worries, worries …..
Agree with you there Fifi, just glad he’s back on the circuit, its been a bit bland without him.
I have to agree with you both. I just want him to enjoy being back out there playing and mixing it up with best players (the big boys as someone said last week)
I want him to take care of his knees but I am growing a little tired of every media source going on about his knees and his exit from Wimbledon.
He had a great time at the Madison Square garden expo. His movement, drop shots, volleys, lobs and backhand shots were incredible. He was bouncing around on that hardcourt like it was a trampoline. He is ending the points quicker which is going to help him at IW.
I hope he has fun playing at Indian Wells. I hope he can go deep into the tournament but if he exits early I am cool with that, I would love to see him focus on the clay court swing.
Totally agree with you all – his enjoyment at being back on a tennis court is what matters in the scheme of things. His big smile says it all really.
Vamos our Rafa.
Agree with all you guys. RAFA is enjoying himself and his knees seem to be holding up BUT that was clay. Do feel he should have avoided hard courts and just stuck to clay – to concentrate on his main goal, ie. RG. But it would great to see him get to the finals against DJOKY but thats a long way ahead.
rafa,hard court may not be new to you.you are a proud title owner of us and australian grand slams in the past.if anybody writes you off,may be on your weak knees and not on your acrobatic unikue style.hope your knees stand by you to snatch this coveted title.let tennis wins whether you hold the cup or not but leave your nadal trade mark even if you fail to last till the final. best of luck, rafa. arunachalam, india
I’ve had mixed feelings about Rafa’s decision to play this tournament, with the clay season round the corner, and I still don’t have any expectations at all but I think this is a good draw, with Federer there instead of Djokovic ;-) Good luck Rafa and please listen to your knee.
His knees are ok. He’ll dominate all. Vamos…
No, Arwen – his knees are not ok…
Just a word on Rafa’s knees – given that a lot of people are mentioning them – including myself! Remember this chronic injury is not ‘healed’ (as evidenced by Rafa’s recent reports of pain), rather it is being managed through a mix of specific eccentric (lengthening) exercises, standard treatments (e.g. ice, support) and a return to play. From a rehabilitation perspective, it is important that Rafa continues to load the tendon (i.e. run, jump, squat, stretch) in his knee to improve its strength and function during this period. And as he will need to play non-clay surfaces in the future (though hopefully fewer than in previous years), it makes sense for him to play this tournament now and see how his knee responds to playing competitive tennis on a hard court. But don’t expect miracles from him. A fit and healthy Rafa can beat anyone, but we do not have such a Rafa – not yet.
As I said up front, Rafa has a good draw and could do well – so long as his knee responds favourably. Of course, I hope he *does* do well this coming week because there’s nothing like winning for building one’s confidence, but to talk of a final or winning the title is premature at best – not with the field at Indian Wells.
Amen! I’m just hoping he gets through this tournament injury-free and continues to improve
Totally agree, I hope this is the comeback he deserves!
That’s my girl! Thanks, Heath!
What’s all the dilemma? He is back, winning and happy. IW is a knee testing exercise. He wont take any risks . The clay swing is his priority. I’m looking forward to see him on court again and not bothered how far he goes in to tournament but I am worried about how the knee responds.
«He is back, winning and happy. IW is a knee testing exercise. He wont take any risks . The clay swing is his priority.»
Resumes my thoughts! Vamos y disfrutamos!
So happy to see my Rafa Cautiously returning to competition. I can’t tell you how happy that makes my 77 year old heart. Without him there was no excitement, which keeps my heart pumping.
I agree we would not want him to harm his knees; but he needs practice and the hard court events will allow him to play top opponents and test out his level of play. Realistically he cannot avoid hard courts for long and be top 5.
Rafa already played and thrashed David Ferrer. There aren’t many top-liners better than David Ferrer.
Clobber has been defined by someone whoever asked :). You never know how these draws will work out so lets see. I am just glad that Rafa will be playing. I hope that Rafa’s knees will be okay for him, our poor Rafa. I feel sad when I think of Rafa being in pain and all his rehabbing to manage it.
I loved that article ‘A kid in a Garden’. I have printed it out and put in my Rafa news file. It talks about Rafa in such a cute way and I can relate to it. Rafa is so happy to be backl and I am so happy to see that and I just want him to continue playing. I don’t mind too much what happens in IW. Of course I want Rafa to win but I know that it is early in his comeback and am patient about that. I am just happy enough to see Rafa back on the tour. It was so nice to hear Rafa say after MSG match that the fans haven’t missed him as much as he has missed us! That made my heart melt.I think that Rafa really appreciates tennis and the adoration he gets more than ever now. That is fabulous!! Vamos Rafa!!
I just want to see him healthy on court in Paris!!!
Hi All, I’m at indian Wells and got to watch Rafa practice today! Wow, what a treat. i am wondering how you know he is practicing if it’s early? What time do they let the public in? on his off days, does he practice earlier? If anyone is at IW, you can text me at; 303-847-9923 Muchisimas gracias! ~ Lynne