“Like a needle pricking me.” This is how Rafael Nadal described the pain he felt while breathing in the Indian Wells final. In the on-court interview after the 3: 6, 6: 7 (5) against Taylor Fritz, who was the first American to win the ATP 1000 tournament since Andre Agassi (2001), the Spaniard did not want to elicit that leave – out of respect, so as not to belittle the greatest career success of the 24-year-old. Only afterwards did the 35-year-old explain that he was sad “because I wasn’t able to fight properly”.
At the end of his semi-final victory against his compatriot Carlos Alcaraz, who was 17 years his junior, the problems arose for the first time. Nadal’s 20th match win this year was still out, against Fritz the 21st no longer. After three tournament victories, including his 21st Grand Slam title in Melbourne, the “Bull of Manacor”‘s successful streak broke – and that just before the clay court season, in which he was aiming for his 15th French Open title in June. “I wanted to do it perfectly before it went on sand,” said Nadal contritely, who moved past Alexander Zverev to third place in the world rankings. Novak Djokovic took the lead again as Daniil Medvedev retired early in Indian Wells.
Fritz managed a leap of twelve places and is now in eighth place. “It’s one of those childhood dreams of winning this tournament that you don’t even think could come true,” said the Californian after winning the final.
Inga Swiatek secured her fifth WTA title in Indian Wells thanks to a 6: 4, 6: 1 win over the Greek Maria Sakkari. The 20-year-old Pole is only the fifth player in history to have so many tournament wins before the age of 21. In the world rankings, Swiatek moves up to second place behind Australian Ashleigh Barty.
Source: Nachrichten
