Tennis news today: Rafael Nadal reaches Indian Wells final, Unlikely for Novak Djokovic to compete in Canadian Open | 20 March
Rafael Nadal continued his good run of form by beating upcoming Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz and reaching the final of the Indian Wells Masters. Nadal will now compete for his fourth title in Indian Wells.
Canadian Open director Eugene Lapierre has said that it will be impossible for djokovic" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" data-is-sponsored="false">Novak Djokovic to enter the country if their regulations remain the same.
Roger Federer shared a video of him practicing on an indoor court as he aims to return to action on the tennis court.
Here is a roundup of today's biggest news from the tennis world.
Rafael Nadal sets up final clash with Taylor Fritz in Indian Wells
Nadal continued his good run of form in 2022 as he booked his place in the final of the Indian Wells Masters. The Spaniard beat compatriot Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 in a thrilling semifinal that lasted three hours and 12 minutes.
Nadal took the opening set but Alcaraz managed to fight back and win a pretty tricky second set where the windy conditions disrupted shots and rhythm. The King of Clay earned the decisive break in the third set and won it 6-3 to record his 20th straight win.
Nadal expressed his happiness at reaching another Masters 1000 final. He spoke about Alcaraz as an opponent and how his mindset on playing him was that of playing against one of the best players on tour. He stressed that his win over his compatriot was a very important win for him.
"I am super happy to be in the final," Nadal said in his on-court interview. "It means a lot to me, and I'll just keep going. I took it like another semi-final match. He's not a young player that is 100 in the world and is coming. He is a top player already, so I treated it like that, playing against one of the best players in the world. It doesn't matter if he's young or not, he's a great guy, an amazing player and he has a fantastic future. I treated it like this, just tried to go on court, try my best and accept all the challenges. I am through and it was a very important victory for me."
Waiting for Nadal in the final is 20th seed Taylor Fritz, who stunned seventh seed Andrey Rublev in straight sets, thus breaking the Russian's 13-match winning streak.
@RafaelNadal vs. @Taylor_Fritz97 
It's going down 🍿
🇪🇸 @RafaelNadal vs. @Taylor_Fritz97 🇺🇸
#IndianWells https://t.co/P1dKOSooLu
Novak Djokovic will be unable to compete in the Canadian Open with current regulations
Canadian Open director Eugene Lapierre has said that it will be impossible for Novak Djokovic to enter the country if the current regulations remain.
"We’re not really in a hurry [to confirm regulations]. We imagine that there will be changes as we go along; if the situation improves, if the situation worsens, or whatever. If it was today, it would be impossible for Novak to return to Canada and participate in the event. So we’re going to wait," Lapierre said.
Djokovic is yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and could not compete in the Indian Wells and Miami Masters. However, we could see a lot more of the Serb in the forthcoming months as he will compete at the Serbian Open, the Monte Carlo Masters and Roland Garros.
Question marks over Novak Djokovic’s Canadian Open participation. tennis365.com/atp-tour/novak…
Roger Federer shares practice video
Roger Federer recently shared a video of himself practicing on an indoor court as he steps up his preparations for his return to action. In the video, Federer can be seen hitting a total of six forehands.
Andrey Rublev urges British government to not mix sports and politics
World No. 7 Andrey Rublev has urged the British government not to mix sports with politics. His statements come after Nigel Huddleston, the UK's minister for sport, tourism and heritage, said that he would seek assurances from Russian tennis players that they do not support Vladimir Putin's regime.
"Talking about the British government, it's like I said, I think we should show a great example that tennis should be outside of politics. Not tennis, but in general sport. We're athletes. We want to compete. We were sacrificing so many things," said Rublev
"I think sport should be outside of politics because everyone say this, but in the end looks like still it's not happening. That's why I hope that in sport they will show there is no politics and we will be a good example to have a huge step forward," he added.
Rublev: “Talking about the British gov't, I think we should show a great example that tennis should be outside of politics. Not tennis, but in general sport. We're athletes. We want to compete. We were sacrificing so many things."
express.co.uk/sport/tennis/1…
Venus Williams says she will return to action
Former World No. 1 Venus Williams said on a Q&A with her fans that she will be back competing on a tennis court soon. Her last match was at the Chicago Open in August, where she lost to Hsieh Su-Wei.
"So, when I come back on tour because yes, you asked when am I coming back," Williams said. "I will let you know but I will be back and I will be playing, I think you're going to see a very grateful person who's just ready to compete and enjoy the game."