Poll: Who Will Win Indian Wells: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer?

by Staff | March 6th, 2014, 12:13 am
  • 65 Comments

The season’s first Masters 1000 event gets underway Thursday in the sparkling desert at Indian Wells, California, site of the BNP Paribas Open.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal, who beat Juan Martin del Potro 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 for the 2013 Indian Wells title, will attempt to join Roger Federer as a four-time titlist at the event. Nadal, the Australian Open fianlist, is 16-1 on the year and is a winner in the desert in 2007, 2009 and 2013.

Novak Djokovic, who beat Mardy Fish (2008) and Rafael Nadal (2011) for Indian Wells titles, has a 30-6 tournament record and 16 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crowns. But hasn’t won a tournament in two title defenses this year under new coach Boris Becker.


Roger Federer, the 2004-06 and 2012 champion and a winner of 21 ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophies, has a 42-9 event record at the event. And this enters in form after an Australian Open semifinal and a Dubai title last week where he beat Djokovic and Tomas Berdych.

Andy Murray has never won in the desert and in eight prior trips has only made the finals once (2009 losing to Nadal) and reached the semis just twice (2007, 2009). A quarterfinalist a year ago losing to Del Potro, Murray is hoping his first Masters 1000 event since back surgery will lift him back into form.

Stanislas Wawrinka competes at his first ATP tournament since lifting the Australian Open trophy. He will hope to improve on 2008 and 2011 quarterfinal runs. He has an 11-0 record in 2014 but this is the first time he’ll play a tournament as a Grand Slam champion.



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65 Comments for Poll: Who Will Win Indian Wells: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer?

harry Says:

It is a tough one to pick. Anyway Tignor picks Fed:
http://tinyurl.com/luuo577

March 6th, 2014 at 12:52 am


Sirius Says:

None of them

March 6th, 2014 at 12:52 am


metan Says:

I’d better use the spell VAMOS often to thwart all the jinx. Rafa VAMOS .

March 6th, 2014 at 12:59 am


Giles Says:

VAMOS RAFA!!
Stay healthy Champ!

March 6th, 2014 at 3:08 am


John Says:

Federer!

Stay healthy, take your meds every day pls.

Also, don’t leave the hospital cause I might come visit. VamoS!

March 6th, 2014 at 5:02 am


skeezer Says:

Tignor picks Fed? Haha…what happened to his Rafa fan club?

March 6th, 2014 at 8:17 am


Steve27 Says:

What is more important, defend a title or win a new one?

March 6th, 2014 at 8:59 am


Sirius Says:

Steve 27,

both

March 6th, 2014 at 9:19 am


Sirius Says:

Defending a title also means winning a title. But it also shows the consistency of your game. So winning a title, to me, is definitely important. But defending it, makes things more sweeter

March 6th, 2014 at 9:22 am


RZ Says:

This is a tough one to call. Generally I would think that Rafa could easily beat all these top guys but I’m not sure how well his back is doing. Murray has never really done all that well at IW. DelPo has his wrist struggles. Fed has been playing great but what happens when he comes up against Rafa? Djoker has been struggling in later-round matches recently. Tsonga and Berdych have the game but are inconsistent. Wawrinka hasn’t competed since Davis Cup. Despite all that, any of them could win; then again, so could Cilic, Dmitrov, or Gulbis!

March 6th, 2014 at 11:41 am


Pitchaboy Says:

Wide open tournament. Don’t think Rafa gets to last 8. Fed v Baby Fed with the old man winning.

March 6th, 2014 at 11:46 am


SG1 Says:

Rafa’s been in the midst of a cold spell. Typically, the clay court season has been his time to build momentum. This being said, he’s gotta’ be getting hungry for a tournament win about now. I’ll go with Rafa at IW. Would be nice to see a Rafa-Federer final again.

March 6th, 2014 at 12:46 pm


Giles Says:

^^^ That can’t happen. They are on the same side of the draw. Pity!

March 6th, 2014 at 12:52 pm


Hippy Chic Says:

Agree with SG1 Rafas form tended to dwindle towards the end of the season last year,but as Kimberly once said the season is at its best before the fall,and you dont get as many great matches after that,Novak had a stellar year in 2011,but even his form dipped towards the end of the year,at the begining of a new year you are starting again from the begining,whats been and gone is history,Rafa has began this year pretty well winning two titles from 3 finals,he is 16/1 so far this year,will he have another year like last year doubtful?will he still have a great year well i hope so?

March 6th, 2014 at 2:11 pm


Translated Age Says:

Since 2008 (golden era), in 1000 level and above:

– Fed has defended three titles, all on faster hard courts (USO, WTF and Cincy).

– Murray has defended twice both on hardcourts.

– Djokovic has defended six such titles (all on hardcourts).

Rafa has defended 11 all on clay.

So, yeah, defending titles is “important”. Whatever that means.

Note: Prior to the golden era, Roger defended an amaaaazeeeeen 14 times (grass, hc, never on clay)!!!!! Just had to phone it in.

March 6th, 2014 at 3:28 pm


Giles Says:

No player can play top tennis for 11 months. They are not superhuman. Rafa played his socks off so to speak until the USO winning 10 titles two of which were Grand Slams and that is more than what we Rafans could have expected or dreamed of after his lay- off for 222 days. So, once again, well done Champ. Vamos for the rest of the season.

March 6th, 2014 at 3:31 pm


Translated Age Says:

Fed did.

March 6th, 2014 at 3:39 pm


Giles Says:

He must be superhuman!!

March 6th, 2014 at 3:50 pm


Giles Says:

^^^ Lol. It is indeed! Wonder if his ole bones are creaking!

March 6th, 2014 at 4:49 pm


Humble Rafa Says:

I have gotten offers from the wonderful Rafa nation offering me knees, heart, etc. I am happy to say, I am happy with my own.

March 6th, 2014 at 4:57 pm


Humble Rafa Says:

Would be nice to see a Rafa-Federer final again.
—
Think more like 1st round.

March 6th, 2014 at 4:59 pm


Brando Says:

@Humble Rafa:

Do you look forward to continuing the ‘rivalry’ at IW?

March 6th, 2014 at 5:32 pm


Steve27 Says:

When Federer won Wimbledon in 2012 with almost 31, he was perfectly in the age range of older winners since the ATP was created. He may have been defeated by Benneteau but he escaped defeat in the end winning the title.
Now comes the really hard, to win a major with an advanced age for tennis and seen what has happened in the last 40 years, this year will be his last chance to reach the unapproachable

March 6th, 2014 at 5:59 pm


Steve27 Says:

By the way, this is my Open Era Tier 1: Laver, Borg, Sampras, Federer, and Nadal.

The reason I choose Laver (5 majors in the Open Era) is obviously: A calendar Grand Slam.

The constant failure to archieve this is a testimony of the Australian’s greatness.

March 6th, 2014 at 6:16 pm


the DA Says:

“Anyway Tignor picks Fed” – I think I just felt a tremor in the force. He’s probably trying an anti-jinx. He almost always picks Rafa. Strange.

March 6th, 2014 at 7:07 pm


Purcell Says:

Fed played 11 months of top tennis for several years and managed to keep his socks on.

March 6th, 2014 at 7:29 pm


M Says:

And “hey there, Staff” — I think the post title

“Poll: Who Will Indian Wells: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer?”

might be missing a semi-critical verb between “Will” and “Indian Wells”.

I know we’re all excited. Everybody’s in a hurry.
:-)

March 6th, 2014 at 7:48 pm


M Says:

“Would be nice to see a Rafa-Federer final again.”

@SG1 – so true, but I don’t think we can get it. The best we can do is a semi. They’re on the same side of the draw.

And as an NYC-er, I’m still kind of tweaked that they’ve played a Slam final in every Slam but the US Open and at least a semi in both the US Masters.

Hey, fellow New York tennis fans – are FEDAL trolling us?

March 6th, 2014 at 7:51 pm


Ben Pronin Says:

Leave it to know-nothings to think that Federer video is funny.

March 6th, 2014 at 8:05 pm


SG1 Says:

A Fed-Nadal semi would still be something to look forward to. Hard courts are a fairly neutral surface. Fed almost beat Nadal last year at Cincy. With Fed feeling (and playing) better and Nadal feeling a little worse, I think anything can happen. Still picking Rafa though.

March 6th, 2014 at 8:35 pm


skeezer Says:

“know-nothings” , you mean…vamosheads.
I’d be happy to do that routine if it meant 17 all time best Slams.

#underlingstakenote

March 6th, 2014 at 10:15 pm


Humble Rafa Says:

@Humble Rafa:

Do you look forward to continuing the ‘rivalry’ at IW?
—
Yes, It’s been a while. It would be nice to continue the rivalry. The ideal place in the next 6 weeks is the Clay Court Championships in Miami.

March 6th, 2014 at 10:27 pm


Skeezer Says:

Rafa-ventriloquists need to quit “rivalry” talk gibberish and focus/understand on Slams and weeks @#1. This is what historians will rely upon, who understand how titles and all time records are counted. Tennis is not about boxing matches(h2h) but a players results against the field of players in his/her career that ultmately results into all time Slams counts and weeks / years @ # 1 in the world. Read, learn, study, know.

March 6th, 2014 at 10:50 pm


Skeezer Says:

@SG1
IW has notoriously been the slowest HC on tour. This why when Fed beat Rafa here it was an amazing. Basically beating Rafa on a “slow” surface. So I wouldn’t call this surface a “nuetral”
one per se. For sure, advantage Rafa.

March 6th, 2014 at 10:56 pm


queen Says:

Ha ha ha Fed workout. Hilarious geriatrics.

March 7th, 2014 at 12:32 am


Okiegal Says:

I think the reason Fed hasn’t retired is the fact that he feels like his records are being threatened. If he can eke out a tournament win here or there he can stay ahead of the pack…..a lot of knowledgeable tennis heads don’t think he’s the goat yet…..the h2h is still a factor. I think the GOAT issue should be decided after retirement….imo…

March 7th, 2014 at 1:35 am


Okiegal Says:

Don’t ridicule someone’s injuries. I’ve seen my hubby on the floor doing those same exercises because of a bad back…….not funny. I’m a Rafa fan, but show some respect……rude! Hope you fans making light of someone’s injuries aren’t in the same boat some day..this goes for Fed fans too….making jokes about Rafa. RANT OVER!!

March 7th, 2014 at 1:42 am


Giles Says:

“At the end of the presser Rafa was asked if his back was 100%, if not what %, Rafa smiled and said I am not good at mathematics”. Lol

March 7th, 2014 at 3:43 am


Giles Says:

BTW the Faderer workout video is all over the net entitled “Hilario” !!

March 7th, 2014 at 3:45 am


Pankaj Says:

It’s your time Rafa…come-on win this title…

March 7th, 2014 at 5:03 am


Rafa better than Roger Says:

Attention all Rafa and yes including roger fans!!!!

Go check out Rafa’s girlfriend Xisca’s pixes in swimsuit in the internet. They were vacationing in Mexico …. And caramba look at the beautiful, bouncy, boluptous (yeah using b here) bubble but@!!!!

Not the one pictured above( a cheap ruse from eds for you click on this article or part of a trending thing in US media to portray Rafa in the most unflaterring images when in fact Rafa is far more handsome than the photoshopped Roger)

But, I digress.

That picture of Xisca back and beautiful sexy figure and shiny tush is ICONic!!!!

Check it out regardless of ur partisanship.

That image is to die for!!!!

March 7th, 2014 at 8:09 am


Translated Age Says:

What “rivalry”?

23-10 including 8-2 on outdoor hard courts?

Hardly a “neutral” surface unless there is a roof and air conditioning involved.

Soon the so-called purists will be looking to discount hard courts in addition to clay.

March 7th, 2014 at 8:20 am


Hippy Chic Says:

RBTR Xisca is indeed a very beautiful young woman,they are actually a very good looking young couple,i am a huge Rafa fan too,but i have to admit that Roger is also handsome although he doesnt make me swoon with his looks ala Rafa,Fabio or Safin,but Mirka is indeed very beautiful woman too,my best friend bares a striking resembalance to Rafas girlfriend,whom is sickenly stunning.

March 7th, 2014 at 8:21 am


Steve 27 Says:

The results of the poll are hilarious!
hahaha.

March 7th, 2014 at 8:36 am


Giles Says:

Faderer handsome? That’s a first.

March 7th, 2014 at 10:12 am


Hippy Chic Says:

Okiegal spot right on sister,@1.42am,no need to mock the afflicted,as you say one never knows when you could actually be in the same boat,there but for the grace of god,so sad the way this forum goes sometimes :((..

March 7th, 2014 at 10:42 am


Hippy Chic Says:

Looks are a matter of ones perception,some like Rafa,some like Roger,pretty much like their tennis,some men on this forum go mad for Sharapova,where as Colin thinks shes overated and perfers Pironkova,which is pretty much the way i feel when so many women go mad over David Beckham,whose looks for me personally are vastly overated.

March 7th, 2014 at 10:47 am


pretty Says:

Its champ Rafa

March 7th, 2014 at 12:00 pm


Rafa better than Roger Says:

If Roger is handsome, then so is Stepanek!!!

Golly, it is going to be the end of the world!!!

Roger’s images of late are like stock photos of yesteryears, photoshopped, posed and media sorted for bu@@ kissing opportunity. With roger’s millions surely a photographer will be easy on his back pocket. We just need one greedy bloke to expose it.

March 7th, 2014 at 2:07 pm


Hippy Chic Says:

RBTR well i would definetly say that Roger is better looking than Stepanek,although Radek has dated some beautiful women and his wife Nicole is gorgeous,i wonder what his secret is?maybe he is one red hot lover lol :))..

March 7th, 2014 at 2:35 pm


Sirius Says:

Fed doesn’t have to be handsome. He is a tennis player not a hollywood actor. Anyway his game is undoubtedly exquisite to watch (probably the most beautiful in history). And as a tennis lover, thats what matters to me

March 7th, 2014 at 2:46 pm


Hippy Chic Says:

Unfortunatly we live in a shallow sort of world,im thinking of Kournikova who was known for her looks rather than her tennis,Serena is known for her tennis rather than her looks,which is the way it should be.

March 7th, 2014 at 3:25 pm


Giles Says:

^^^ So looks like you are of the opinion that Faderer is not handsome.
#Agreed

March 7th, 2014 at 3:26 pm


Giles Says:

My last post was for Sirius

March 7th, 2014 at 3:27 pm


Giles Says:

Last post for @Sirius

March 7th, 2014 at 3:29 pm


Sirius Says:

I would say Fed is good looking. That’s my personal opinion.
But who cares other than those who support a player only because of his/her looks? Even if he looked like Gollem of lord of the rings, i couldn’t have cared less. I like his game, thats what should matter

March 7th, 2014 at 4:14 pm


Rafa better than Roger Says:

And yet, for the while balding and already bald US tennis writers at espn rennis.com etc were that shallow that rafa was balding at the top. Imagine that! I called those writers out and they dont do it anymore. And yet when American Samplras was horribly balding on the same spot, not much was
Written on it! Way to protect americans, in the shallow media world, right?

I do not lnow why US media writers have this anti-Nadal bent in their articles, photos and posts. In fact, even cameramen are in on the act, there is always a penchant to show full shot of Nadal while serving and yet roger is lensed almost always above the waist? Coincidence? Don’t be so naive!

And yet when American Roddick, who touches his junk all the time serving and mostly receiving, the camera is mostly above the waist! Coincidence? For rafa, it is the full shot, fior a longer time.

What is the objective? To create an unflattering visual of Nadal. Evidence. Just compare photos and camera shots!

But no matter. 23-10 is the best shot there is.

March 7th, 2014 at 8:45 pm


Skeezer Says:

Goffin vs Davy coming up…interesting..

March 7th, 2014 at 11:05 pm


Skeezer Says:

RBTR,
Sorry, didn’t get your babbling post ,You said somethin regarding Feds alltime greatness?

March 7th, 2014 at 11:12 pm


pigoonse Says:

Dominic Thiem looked impressive tonight. The 20 year old Austrian is a regular practice partner of Ernests Gulbis, so said the commentator repeatedly. Gulbis himself was there watching the match, looking to be enjoying himself, cheering on the new kid. Now if Gulbis could copy Thiem’s forehand.

Thiem will play Simon next round.

Goffin and Davydenko are on now.

March 7th, 2014 at 11:36 pm


pigoonse Says:

The fun really gets rolling tomorrow. Lots of tennis matches to watch this weekend. But I have to wait until Sunday to see Djokovic. Dimitrov on Sunday too.

March 7th, 2014 at 11:40 pm


Okiegal Says:

@RBTR

I also noticed that writers or commentators never brought up the fact about Andy Roddick and his junk routine! He was bad about that. I noticed that habit of his years ago…..and I think that is what is, a nervous little tic. Now Rafa, not sure, I think his is legit because a big bum can cause an annoying wedgie, and wedgies are a pain in the butt, pun intended!! Thought your comment was spot on.

March 9th, 2014 at 1:52 am

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