🇪🇸 The last time Rafa Nadal played at Indian Wells, we got a classic. Carlos Alcaraz, brutal wind, 3 sets - showing he wasn't ready to pass the torch just yet. He makes his return there in a couple of weeks. Hoping for more battles like this in 2024 🤞🏻
When is Rafael Nadal opening his Indian Wells campaign as draw approaches?
ATPWednesday, 28 February 2024 at 14:00
Rafael Nadal's first match of this year's 2024 Indian Wells Open has now been confirmed ahead of the draw with the Spaniard set to find out his fate on March 4.
Nadal who has used his protected ranking to enter the tournament after slipping to World No.654 will play directly from the first round and now the organisers have confirmed that the Spaniard will make his return to action during the evening session on Thursday March 7.
With evening sessions starting at 18:00 local time which is around 2am GMT, European viewers will either need to set their alarms or wake up early with Nadal likely to be in a prime slot given his status in the sport.
The 22-time Grand Slam champion suffered a muscle injury at the Brisbane International and he was forced to miss the season opener at the Australian Open. He since tried to make his return at the Qatar Open in February, but he decided against it due to a setback in his comeback.
“Unfortunately I am not ready to compete," he said. "I will focus on keep working to be ready for the exhibition in Las Vegas and the amazing Indian Wells tournament.” That exhibition is set for March 3 against Carlos Alcaraz and it will only take four days after for the Spaniard to return to the ATP Tour of course pending him coming through that exhibition with no injury issues.
It is slightly puzzling but also understandable that Nadal will play in the evening. His status in the game means he is must watch, but also it doesn't cater perhaps to the European market including in Spain and the likely lions share of those watching him play. But he will aim to begin his campaign in his sole Sunshine Double tournament, he will then move onto clay with a busy schedule likely ahead.
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