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Scouting Report: Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Zverev Head Indian Wells Field

The ATP Tour returns to Indian Wells for the penultimate ATP Masters 1000 event of the season at the BNP Paribas Open, where in the absence of the past five champions the favourites arrive with little previous success in the desert. Following its cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the event was rescheduled this year to be held in October.

The top two seeds are Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas and both are bidding for a maiden Indian Wells trophy. The FedEx ATP Race To Turin heats up in the Californian desert with a string of contenders desperate to strengthen their claim to a Nitto ATP Finals berth. ATPTour.com looks at 10 things to watch this week in Indian Wells.

1) Newest Major Champion Medvedev Leads Pack: Hot on the heels of the biggest title of his career at the US Open and subsequent team success at the Laver Cup, the Russian looks to maintain his momentum on US soil and claim his second Masters 1000 trophy of the season.

The World No. 2, who defeated Reilly Opelka for the Toronto Masters 1000 trophy, has also claimed titles in Marseille and Mallorca. He will attempt to add another at Indian Wells as the top seed, where he will attempt to build on a modest 3-3 record.

2) Tsitsipas Circling: In only his third appearance in the BNP Paribas Open, the Greek star arrives as the second seed. The 23-year-old has shown great consistency at Masters 1000 events this season, advancing to at least the quarter-finals in five of the first six events at this level.

Tsitsipas won his first Masters 1000 title in Monte-Carlo, where he did not lose a set, and will try to claim his second in Indian Wells, where success has eluded him in the past (1-2 record). The second seed fell in the third round of the US Open before helping Team Europe clinch the Laver Cup in Boston.

3) FedEx ATP Race To Turin Heats Up: Several players are trying to stake their claim to one of the remaining spots at the Nitto ATP Finals, to be held at the Pala Alpitour in Turin from 14-21 November. Following his maiden hard-court title and his fifth trophy of the season in San Diego, Norway’s Casper Ruud moves into eighth in the Race.

As a result of seventh-placed Rafael Nadal’s absence in Turin due to injury, the cut is effectively ninth in the Race, with recent Metz champion Hubert Hurkacz, US Open semi-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime and Sunday’s Sofia champion Jannik Sinner keen for a strong showing in Indian Wells to stay in contention.

4) #NextGenATP Debuts: Since the BNP Paribas Open has not been held since 2019, there are several #NextGenATP stars who will make their debut at the Masters 1000 event. Umag champion Carlos Alcaraz and Parma titlist Sebastian Korda lead the bunch.

Alcaraz reached his maiden Grand Slam quarter-final in New York last month, following a five-set upset of World No. 3 Tsitsipas, while Korda advanced to the fourth round at a major for the second time at Wimbledon in July. Newport finalist Jenson Brooksby, his compatriot Zachary Svajda, Danish teenager Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune and Italian Lorenzo Musetti are the other #NextGenATP names set to make their main draw debuts at Indian Wells.

5) New Champion Incoming: A first-time BNP Paribas Open singles champion is guaranteed in 2021. World No. 1 Novak Djokovic is not playing and 2019 finalists, reigning champion Dominic Thiem and five-time champion Roger Federer, are injured. Thiem announced in August he would miss the remainder of the season due to a right wrist injury. Will Cincinnati titlist Alexander Zverev, Russian star Andrey Rublev or Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini seize the opportunity to make their mark in the desert?

6) Zverev Poised For Deep Run: Another player integral to Team Europe’s Laver Cup triumph, Zverev has been on a red-hot run since his fourth-round Wimbledon departure. The German went on a 16-match winning streak – capturing a Tokyo Olympics singles gold medal (d. Khachanov) and his fifth Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati (d. Rublev) – before Novak Djokovic stopped him in the US Open semi-finals. While yet to pass the Round of 16 in the desert (5-4 record) Zverev has won 17 of his past 18 matches.

8) Fans Relish Return To The Desert: After the cancellation of Indian Wells in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic also forced the postponement of the 2021 edition from March to October. It makes for a welcome return for fans, given the event has been voted by players as the Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year for the past six years it was held.

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9) Doubles Field Stacked: Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic have already won nine titles together this season including Masters 1000 trophies in Miami, Monte Carlo and Rome, as well as Wimbledon and a Tokyo Olympics gold medal. The top seeds in Indian Wells head a loaded doubles draw ahead of second seeds, US Open champions Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury.

This year’s Halle Open runners-up Felix Auger-Aliassime and Hubert Hurkacz reunite, while Doha-winning Russians Rublev and Aslan Karatsev and Italians Jannik Sinner and Berrettini team up. World No. 13 Denis Shapovalov joins forces again with former World No. 3 in doubles Rohan Bopanna, while Reilly Opelka and Alex de Minaur are a first-time pairing.

10) Murray Leads Wild Cards Into Battle: In his first outing at Indian Wells since 2017, the 2009 runner-up Andy Murray is one of the five main draw wild cards. Murray has compiled a 25-12 record in the desert since his debut in 2006 and reached his first tour-level quarter-final in nearly two years two weeks ago week in Metz.

The other wild cards are #NextGenATP Americans Brooksby and Zachary Svajda, 2017 semi-finalist Jack Sock and #NextGenATP Dane Rune. Former World No. 8 and four-time ATP Tour titlist Sock reached his first tour-level quarter-final since 2018 in Newport last month.

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Thiem Announces No Need For Wrist Surgery

Dominic Thiem will not require surgery to overcome a right wrist injury, the former World No. 3 has revealed on social media on Monday.

The Austrian has not played since he sustained the injury during his first-round match against Adrian Mannarino at the Mallorca Championships in June. He missed the chance to defend his maiden Grand Slam trophy in New York last month and his first ATP Masters 1000 trophy from 2019 in Indian Wells this fortnight as a result, but held hopes he could begin training as soon as the wrist was strengthened.

“I had a very important thing today. I was in Belgium to decide if I need surgery on my wrist or not and luckily I have very, very good news. I won’t need the surgery,” Thiem said on social media. “It’s really stable and it’s looking good, my wrist.

“The next week I have to make it more flexible and strengthen my wrist, do everything to prepare to slowly start playing tennis again. I’m really looking forward to it. It’s been a pretty long time without a racquet and I honestly miss it.”

The 28-year-old announced in August he would miss the remainder of the season due to a detachment of the posterior sheath of the ulnar side of his right wrist. Thiem owns a 9-9 record on the season, with his best result coming at the Mutua Madrid Open, where he reached the semi-finals.

Good news! pic.twitter.com/pKyHjSdtwE

— Dominic Thiem (@ThiemDomi) October 4, 2021

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Alexander Zverev abuse claim investigation opens as ATP safeguarding review completed

An investigation into claims world number four Alexander Zverev was violent towards a former girlfriend is “under way”, the men’s ATP Tour says.

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Naomi Osaka: Former world number one drops out of top 10 in rankings

Naomi Osaka drops out of the women’s top 10 for the first time since winning the 2018 US Open title.

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ATP Receives Independent Safeguarding Report; Zverev Investigation Announced

An Independent Safeguarding Report, commissioned by the ATP earlier in the season, has been completed. It represents a key element of the ATP’s overall safeguarding review to ensure all adults and minors involved in professional tennis are safe and protected from abuse.

Compiled by a team of experts led by Chris Smart, former Detective Chief Inspector in the Metropolitan Police (UK), the report outlines a number of wide-ranging recommendations to ensure safeguarding is embedded across all aspects of ATP organisational activity. Topics covered include prevention, reporting and investigation of abuse, disciplinary measures, policy statements, event safety, training, information sharing, collaboration with other bodies of tennis and the appointment of dedicated safeguarding leads.

ATP will now evaluate the recommendations to identify immediate next steps and develop a longer-term safeguarding strategy relating to all matters of abuse, including domestic violence.

Massimo Calvelli, ATP CEO, said: “As an organisation we recognise the need to be doing more to ensure everyone involved in professional tennis feels safe and protected. The recommendations of the Safeguarding Report will help us approach this in a robust way. We are committed to making meaningful steps forward and know this won’t be an overnight process.”

In parallel, an internal investigation into allegations concerning Alexander Zverev at the ATP Masters 1000 event in Shanghai in 2019 is currently underway. The ATP fully condemns any form of violence or abuse and will investigate such allegations related to conduct at an ATP member tournament.

Calvelli said: “The allegations raised against Alexander Zverev are serious and we have a responsibility to address them. We hope our investigation will allow us to establish the facts and determine appropriate follow-up action. We understand Zverev welcomes our investigation and acknowledge that he has denied all allegations. We will also be monitoring any further legal developments following the preliminary injunction obtained by Zverev in the German Courts.”

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Sinner Soars Into Top 10 in 2021 FedEx ATP Race To Turin

No. 10 Jannik Sinner, +1
The #NextGenATP Italian has jumped into the Top 10 in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin after he overcame Frenchman Gael Monfils to defend his Sofia Open title. The 20-year-old has now captured three tour-level trophies this season and is aiming to make his debut at the season finale, which will be held at the Pala Alpitour in Turin from 14-21 November. Read Sofia Final Report & Watch Highlights

View Latest FedEx ATP Race To Turin Rankings

No. 8 Casper Ruud, +1
The 22-year-old has risen one place to regain his spot in eighth place after he lifted his fifth tour-level trophy of the season at the San Diego Open. It is the first time the Norwegian, who defeated former World No. 1 Andy Murray en route to the title, has won a tour-level crown on hard. Read San Diego Final Report & Watch Highlights

No. 14 Cameron Norrie, +1
The Brit continued his career-best season in San Diego as he reached his fifth tour-level final of the year. It means the Los Cabos champion has moved one position to No. 14 in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin as he looks to make a late push to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals.

Other Notable Top 100 Movers
No. 26 Sebastian Korda, +2
No. 33 Ilya Ivashka, +2
No. 38T Grigor Dimitrov, +6
No. 42T Filip Krajinovic, +6
No. 55 Gael Monfils, +18

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San Diego Open: Cameron Norrie beaten in final by Casper Ruud

Britain’s Cameron Norrie loses in straight sets to Casper Ruud in the San Diego Open final.

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Ruud Climbs In FedEx ATP Race To Turin On San Diego Title

Only a week after Hubert Hurkacz edged past his nearest rival into eighth place in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin, Casper Ruud returned the favour.

The Norwegian reclaimed eighth spot following his first tour-level title on hard courts at the San Diego Open, where he breezed past Cameron Norrie 6-0, 6-2 on Sunday. It gave Ruud a tour-leading fifth trophy for the season and a timely reminder his best was not confined to clay with a month still left to book a passage to the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin.

“I know that now I will jump up to eighth and it’s fun because Jannik [Sinner] and Hubert are the closest guys behind me,” Ruud said. “Within these two weeks we’ve all won a tournament so it’s a strong competition now. I think us three are the closest to capturing the last two spots.”

Hurkacz – who captured his maiden ATP Masters 1000 trophy in Miami in April – snuck above the 22-year-old a week ago, following his third tour-level title of the season in Metz. It made for a short turnaround as the Pole headed Stateside for the San Diego Open, where he fell in the second round to Aslan Karatsev, No. 12 in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin.

View Latest FedEx ATP Race To Turin Rankings

Following his maiden Grand Slam semi-final in New York – a run which eventual champion Daniil Medvedev ended – Felix Auger-Aliassime catapulted into contention. Like Ruud, Hurkacz and Sinner, the 21-year-old’s eyes are firmly fixed on a Nitto ATP Finals debut. But at the weekend he was displaced by fellow #NextGenATP rival Sinner for 10^th spot.

Top seed Sinner defeated Gael Monfils to defend his ATP 250 title in Sophia less than 24 hours before Ruud’s title run across the Atlantic. With seventh-placed Rafael Nadal out for the remainder of the season, it will be a fiercely contested battle for what shapes as two final berths in Turin.

“Obviously there are some big events that will be played now – Indian Wells, there’s 1000 points on the line – also Paris and Vienna,” Ruud said. “There is no way I can kind of relax and think that I will make it because I have to try to think that Hubert and Jannik can both do really well, so I have to do the same.

“I think that’s how it should be. It should be a strong competition and whoever gets there in the end, deserves it more. It’s as simple as this. This win really helps me and in a part of the year where previously I haven’t done too well… I think they should play San Diego more times in October in future years.” 

Ruud’s 2,925 points currently leaves him 1,030 points behind sixth-placed Matteo Berrettini in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin. As he prepares for the short trip to join his remaining race contenders in the Californian desert this week, only 605 points separate him and 11^th-placed Auger-Aliassime.

“I’m looking forward to playing [Indian Wells] as a main draw player [for the first time],” Ruud said. “As a seeded player I will have a bye and I will take the time now to recover and recharge the batteries and go full for Indian Wells.”

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Ruud Rolls Past Norrie In San Diego For Tour-Leading Fifth Title Of 2021

No clay? No problem for Casper Ruud.

The Norwegian, who has shone brightly on clay, won his first hard-court title on Sunday by defeating in-form Briton Cameron Norrie 6-0, 6-2 n the final of the San Diego Open. All-time great Rod Laver presented Ruud with his trophy.

“Special thanks to Rod, obviously the legend. I think you need to come to all my matches now because I’m playing really good when you come and watch,” Ruud said during the trophy ceremony. “I hope you will come to Indian Wells next week to watch, so let’s see [what happens there]!”

The second seed battled past a series of tough opponents at the California ATP 250 — and lost just one set in four matches against Andy Murray, ninth seed Lorenzo Sonego, former World No. 3 Grigor Dimitrov and Norrie — to become the first player on the ATP Tour to lift five titles this season. Before 2021, he had earned just one tour-level crown.

2021 Title Leaders

Ruud will importantly climb into eighth in the FedEx ATP Race To Turin as he tries to qualify for the Nitto ATP Finals, to be held at the Pala Alpitour in Turin from 14-21 November.

The Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals alumnus made his mark early in the match, breaking in his first return game, and he never looked back. Ruud allowed Norrie to win just three service points in the first set, and that set the tone.

The Norwegian took advantage of uncharacteristically sloppy play from his opponent early and then dictated play from his backhand corner, unleashing heavy forehands to keep Norrie from finding his comfort zone.

The Briton, who upset top seed Andrey Rublev in the semi-finals, made a better start to the second set as he cut down his unforced errors. But Ruud hit a perfect backhand passing shot to go up 4-2, and showed no nerves in closing out the match after 62 minutes.

Ruud had never made an ATP Tour final on hard courts before this week. But he showed great balance throughout the tournament behind his physical baseline style and coming forward when he needed to finish points at the net.

Norrie excels on hard courts and like Ruud has enjoyed the best season of his career. But this year’s Los Cabos champion was unable to add a second tour-level trophy to his resumé.

Did You Know?
Earlier this season, Ruud won titles in Bastad, Gstaad and Kitzbühel in three consecutive weeks to become the firsst player to win three titles in as many weeks since Murray in 2011.

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Brooksby Leads Final Push In ATP Race To Milan

The ATP Race to Milan has entered the home stretch in October as #NextGenATP hopefuls pursue one of four remaining berths. The 2019 champion Jannik Sinner, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Carlos Alcaraz and Sebastian Korda have already qualified.

Only 236 points currently separate fifth and eighth spots for the Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals. Jenson Brooksby is next in line to qualify and joins Lorenzo Musetti, Brandon Nakashima and Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune in the BNP Paribas Open main draw this week, hoping to cement a place.

ATPTour.com looks at the leading contenders battling it out for a place in Milan.

No. 5 Jenson Brooksby
The 20-year-old American has enjoyed a breakthrough run on home soil in recent months, reaching his maiden fourth round at the US Open, where he beat the likes of Taylor Fritz and Aslan Karatsev before taking a set off World No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Only a month earlier, Brooksby stormed into his first ATP Tour final in Newport (l. to Anderson) and backed it up with a semi-final run in Washington, where he beat then No. 15 in the FedEx ATP Rankings Auger-Aliassime en route.

No. 6 Lorenzo Musetti
The chance to compete before his home crowd, close to his hometown of Carrara, gives the Italian further incentive to seal his place. The 19-year-old notched ATP Tour semi-finals in Acapulco and Lyon, where he fell to Stefanos Tsitsipas on both occasions, and in his Roland Garros debut, took down David Goffin and former semi-finalist Marco Cecchinato en route to the fourth round. He will be keen to rediscover his best form in Indian Wells, after winning just two of his past nine matches.

No. 7 Juan Manuel Cerundolo
One of the most remarkable runs to a maiden ATP Tour title in 2021 came in Cordoba where a then World No. 335 Cerundolo won three rounds of qualifying and five main-draw matches on debut to land the silverware on home soil. The Argentine was the fifth-lowest ranked ATP Tour titlist since 1990. The 19-year-old added another trophy to his haul with a first ATP Challenger title in Rome and entered October on a 10-match winning streak with two further titles at this level.

Full ATP Race To Milan Standings

No. 8 Brandon Nakashima
In a breakout two weeks, 19-year-old American Nakashima reached his maiden tour-level final in Los Cabos (l. to Norrie) in July and his second a week later in Atlanta where he upset top seed Milos Raonic en route to crack the top 100. He avenged that final defeat to his compatriot Isner in the first round of the US Open and arrived at Indian Wells having claimed 12 of his past 18 matches on hard courts.

No. 9 Holger Vitus Nodskov Rune
Grand Slam debuts don’t come much bigger than facing a World No. 1 under the lights on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but having won through qualifying, that was 18-year-old Rune’s reward at this year’s US Open. The Dane acquitted himself well as he took a set off Djokovic and with his first three ATP Challenger Tour titles already this season has soared from No. 473 in the FedEx ATP Rankings to the brink of the Top 100.

No. 10 Hugo Gaston
In the same week that Alcaraz captured his first tour-level trophy in Umag and Nakashima contested his first ATP Tour final in Los Cabos, Frenchman Gaston had a shot at his maiden title in Gstaad. The 21-year-old came up short against Casper Ruud but has reached an ATP Challenger Tour final in Tulln, Austria, and back-to-back semi-finals in Portugal at that level since to stay in the hunt for Milan.

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