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Indian Wells: Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic visa confusion latest

It’s time for Indian Wells. The unofficial ‘fifth Grand Slam’ of the tennis season is back in its March spot for the first time since 2019 after it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and then pushed back to October last year. Ad/> Cameron Norrie and Paula Badosa will be the defending champions in the desert while women’s world No.1 Ashleigh Barty is not playing and there is still no confirmation on the status of men’s world No.2 Novak Djokovic.

Rafael Nadal the man to beat, Naomi Osaka eyes return to glory at Indian Wells

Rafael Nadal will be the man to beat when Indian Wells kicks off this week while Naomi Osaka will look to begin her ascent back to the top of the tennis world at the tournament that launched her career. Nadal's season was cut short last year due to a foot injury but the Spaniard has come roaring out of the gates in 2022, winning January's Australian Open for a men's record 21st Grand Slam title. He followed that up by winning his fourth title in Acapulco last month and has not lost in 15 matches this season. "Rafa Nadal is now 35-years-old and he's never had a start to the season like this one," Indian Wells tournament director and former player Tommy Haas said on a recent podcast. "He's the guy to beat here, there's no doubt about it. And he obviously enjoys it here very much," Haas said of Nadal, a three-time winner of the Masters 1000 tournament.

Nadal the man to beat, Osaka eyes return to glory at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS : Red-hot Rafa Nadal will be the man to beat when Indian Wells kicks off this week while Naomi Osaka will look to begin her ascent back to the top of the tennis world at the tournament that launched her career.

Heather Watson, Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart win Indian Wells qualifiers, Emma Raducanu could face Dayana Yastremska

British trio Heather Watson, Katie Boulter and Harriet Dart all won their opening qualifying matches at Indian Wells. British No.2 Watson, who made the last 16 of the WTA 1000 tournament in 2015, beat Rebeka Masarova 7-5 6-2 and will next face Mai Hontama for a place in the main draw. Ad/> Boulter battled to a 6-7(8) 6-4 6-4 win over sixth seed Xinyu Wang while Dart won 6-1 7-5 against Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove.

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Indian Wells: Daniil Medvedev, Rafael Nadal, Naomi Osaka, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic visa confusion latest

Rafael Nadal the man to beat, Naomi Osaka eyes return to glory at Indian Wells

Nadal the man to beat, Osaka eyes return to glory at Indian Wells

Heather Watson, Katie Boulter, Harriet Dart win Indian Wells qualifiers, Emma Raducanu could face Dayana Yastremska

Naomi Osaka, Iga Świątek: Five players who could win Indian Wells

Maria Sakkari only climber in WTA top 20

Emma Raducanu appears to have recovered from hip injury as she trains for Indian Wells

Emma Raducanu appears to have recovered from injury as she trains for Indian Wells