WATCH: Rafael Nadal secures Unanimous Vote as Mixed Doubles partner for Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula, even for Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal announced his decision to withdraw from the 2024 Indian Wells after his exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz.

WATCH: Rafael Nadal secures Unanimous Vote as Mixed Doubles partner for Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula, even for Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Novak Djokovic (Sources: IMAGO, X)

Despite not participating in the 2024 Rafael Nadal, the 22-time Grand Slam winner is being talked about heavily in the ongoing Indian Wells. In their recent interviews, few players were asked who their dream mixed doubles partner would be and almost all of them picked Nadal without a second thought. This is not a major surprise, though, as the Spaniard is, after all, one of the most famous tennis players in the world. 

Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, and Jessica Pegula were among the players who picked Rafael Nadal. However, Novak Djokovic also picked the Spaniard and when the interviewer told him that he was being asked about mixed doubles and not doubles, the Serb burst out in laughter. 

YouTube video
Oh, mixed doubles, sorry. I didn’t hear the mixed doubles. Sorry, Rafa, no, it was not a joke. I just didn’t hear. 
Djokovic said while laughing in the BNP Paribas Open’s video

Unlike Nadal, Djokovic participated in the 2024 Indian Wells and he suffered a surprise exit from the tournament today. The Serb won against Aleksandar Vukic in the second round but failed to repeat the same against Italy’s Luca Nardi in the third round. The 20-year-old outclassed the Serb and registered a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory against him. 

Djokovic’s record against Italian players has not been great lately. He lost to Jannik Sinner in the semifinal of the Australian Open back in January. That was a major upset because it was the first time that the Serb lost in a semifinal match at the Happy Slam. Unfortunately, he was not able to redeem himself in Indian Wells. 

Why did Rafael Nadal withdraw from the Indian Wells?

Rafael Nadal is going through a really tough time lately. He made his return to the court in the 2024 Brisbane International after a year-long break due to his hip injury. Unfortunately, he suffered a muscle issue in the tournament and had to miss the Australian Open. The Spaniard had promised to take part in the Indian Wells, but things changed after his exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz. 

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal (Via Imago)

The 22-time Grand Slam winner recently faced Alcaraz at Las Vegas’ Michelob Ultra Stadium, lost in the Netflix Slam in a tie-break. The loss made Nadal realize that he is not yet at the level he wants to be at and thus, it would be better if he focused on that instead of participating in the tournament. Thus, he withdrew from the ATP 1000 event. 

I have been working hard and practicing and you all know I took a test this weekend but I don’t find myself ready to play at the highest level at such an important event. It is not an easy decision, it’s a tough one as a matter of fact but I can’t lie to myself and lie to the thousands of fans. I will miss you all and I am sure the tournament will be a great success. 
Nadal wrote on X

Right now, Nadal’s biggest goal is to improve his performance as much as he can at the 2024 French Open. Nadal has won the Grand Slam a record 14 times and he would hope to have a great performance there this season as well.

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