Home
Felix Auger-Aliassime believes that the absence of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal is not going to hamper the success of the 2023 Indian Wells Masters. He maintains that there are a lot of other top players who can step up in their place and enhance the legitimacy of the tournament.
Djokovic withdrew from Indian Wells after his plea for a special exemption to travel to the United States as an unvaccinated foreigner got rejected. Meanwhile, Nadal pulled out of the ATP Masters 1000 tournament owing to a hip injury he had picked up at the Australian Open.
Reflecting on the absence of two of the most decorated players on tour at the moment, Auger-Aliassime observed that there are other great players in the field who can pull off fierce performances and make the tournament a success.
“It’s not gonna change much I think [on Djokovic and Nadal’s absence]. At the end of the day, there is a great field of players in the tournament that’s gonna go on and it’ll be a success,” he said during his pre-tournament press conference.
At the same time, Auger-Aliassime opined that the absence of any top player would not do any good for the sport in general.
“You know, I think for tennis, you want all the best players in the tournament. I think even me, as a competitor, like if I do win a tournament like this one, I wanna feel like there were the best of the best in the draw. Also, it’s not great for anybody that like Rafa and Novak are missing,” remarked the Canadian.
“It’s not like it’s the first event they are not there” – Felix Auger Aliassime on Djokovic and Nadal’s absence at Indian Wells
Felix Auger-Aliassime later pointed out that it is not the first time that Djokovic and Nadal have been absent from a tournament, hinting at a slight disapproval of the unnecessary fuss created over the story.
“I mean, it’s not like it’s the first event where they are not there. I mean, in the last few years, there have been a lot of Masters event that these players Rafael and Novak weren’t there,” he stated.
Auger-Aliassime also opened up about his return to Indian Wells as he reminisced on the “good memories” he had there in the past.
“It’s nice to be back here. I have always good memories coming back here. Ofcourse, winning my first ATP major win here and having played good in the past, not so much in the last 2 years, but hopefully, I can change that this year,” the World No. 10 expressed.
Eighth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime will face Pedro Martinez in the Round-of-64 on Sunday.
