ATP Masters Indian Wells: who can surprise this time?
The ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells has produced some surprise winners in recent years. A similar scenario also seems possible this season.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: Mar 08, 2023, 03:49 pm
For several years now, the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Indian Wells has been the fifth Grand Slam tournament of the year. But unlike the four regular major events, surprise champions recently adorned the winners' lists in the Californian desert. Not one of the last four editions went to Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer.
Last year Taylor Fritz secured the trophy, in 2021 Cameron Norrie was able to celebrate winning the title at a somewhat unusual time in autumn. In the two seasons before the corona-related cancellation in 2020, Dominic Thiem (2019) and Juan Martin del Potro (2018) emerged as winners.
Ljubicic strikes in 2010
Previously, the "Big Three" seemed to have dominated tournament action in Indian Wells at will. From 2004 to 2017 Djokovic, Nadal and Federer won 13 of the 14 possible titles. The only exception: Ivan Ljubicic in the 2010 season. Another title win for the three most successful players of all time is ruled out this year for reasons that are as well known as they are different.
skyindianwells2023
And so the question arises as to who can surprise Indian Wells in 2023. The logical favorite is Daniil Medvedev, but the 2021 US Open winner has never coped with the conditions in California. And there is a big question mark behind the fitness of the top seeded Carlos Alcaraz after his thigh injury. So it's quite possible that there will be a surprise winner again this year.
Here the individual tableau in Indian Wells
iwmap