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3/16/09 5:27 AM | Ricky Dimon
An unusual amount of singles stars are also participating in the doubles event this week at the Masters Series Indian Wells. It's been a hot topic for journalists in the press room.
Three of the top four players in the world and six of the top eight are also participating in doubles this week at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the first Masters Series event of 2009.
Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray were joined by fellow top eight singles players Andy Roddick, Juan Martin Del Potro, and Gilles Simon in the doubles draw. Of that bunch, only Simon had been eliminated from doubles as of Sunday evening.
The extraordinary number of singles specialists in the doubles field has had the Indian Wells press room buzzing.
"More so than anything, it's about me getting antsy and wanting to play," said Roddick, when asked why he decided to play doubles (with fellow American Mardy Fish). "So when a tournament is 10, 11-day tournament, it's not a bad idea. Mardy wanted to play, so it made sense."
"I like to play doubles, but normally it's tough to combine doubles and singles," Nadal answered when asked the same question. "But here it's two weeks tournament and you have more days off during the tournament, and especially to practice a little bit. And at the same time, I play with a good friend (Marc Lopez). I enjoy playing with a good friend of mine. The season is very long, and if you have more matches it's easier and going to be very good."
Said Federer, when asked about his first-round showdown with the Bryan Brothers (along with fellow Swiss Yves Allegro): "We're on a roll. I haven't lost like in seven months in doubles. My partner is going to be a problem. He hasn't won this year yet. I got to pull him up and hopefully make him play well."
Federer, in jest, was referring to Allegro's winless record in doubles so far this season. Allegro, with partner Stanislas Wawrinka, recently lost the doubles rubber to Bob and Mike Bryan during the Switzerland vs. United States first-round Davis Cup tie.
"But, no, we beat them at the Olympics," Federer said more seriously of his victory over the Bryans with Wawrinka. "I beat them at the Olympics with Stan. But I beat the Bryans I think here before in Indian Wells. Yeah, it's going to be a lot of fun."
The Bryan-Bryan vs. Federer-Allegro winner will meet Nadal and Lopez in the Indian Wells second round.
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A twenty minute match no less. But I'm so happy to see the top player in the doubles draw!!
tenisbebe , 3/16/09 8:18 AM
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Well, I'm sure some thought the Bryans would win. But I'm not sure lots of people expected the result we just got. Bageled in the second set? Wow.
mara2 , 3/16/09 7:08 AM