For the first time, Daniil Medvedev enters a tournament as the man atop the ATP Rankings. But, as he matter-of-factly pointed out, it’s not the first time he’s the top seed at an event.

“I think it’s a lot of pressure, but at the same time a lot of motivation,” he said of the honour, speaking at a BNP Paribas Open pre-tournament press conference. “I’m going to try to do my best. It’s the same every tournament you play, try to gain as many points as possible. 

“Here it’s 1,000 points. But of course the draw is very tough, a lot of strong players, so it’s not easy to make it.”

The 25-year-old is a comfortable 1,100 ATP Ranking points above world No. 3 Alexander Zverev, and 150 above No. 2 Novak Djokovic, who will not be competing in Indian Wells or Miami this month.

His path to the title this week goes through a loaded top quarter of the draw which includes Stefanos Tsitsipas, defending champ Cameron Norrie, Gael Monfils and Carlos Alcaraz. Should he get through that gauntlet, he could face a third 2022 meeting with Rafael Nadal in the semis.

The Indian Wells title would give Medvedev five different Masters 1000 hard-court titles, and would present him with an opportunity to complete his collection of all six such trophies in Miami.

Medvedev has played just one event since his heartbreaking five-set loss to Nadal in the Australian Open finals, again falling victim to the red-hot Spaniard in the Acapulco semis.

“Playing at Acapulco… consciously, the Australian Open was by far over,” he reflected. 

“But I think unconsciously it still was somewhere there, especially playing against Rafa. Something was not right in my energy in that match. Maybe it’s [because of] this, maybe not.”

While he didn’t play his best tennis in Mexico, Medvedev still enjoyed the event, spending time on the Acapulco beaches and learning mid-tournament that he had clinched the top spot in the ATP Rankings. 

Three weeks after the AO final, Medvedev re-emerged at the ATP 500 event with a new perspective on his career. 

“I think it made me mature, the Australian Open, hopefully,” he reflected. “I understood I have a lot of room to work on myself.”

The idea of Medvedev continuing to improve — be it mentally or physically — will be a frightening one for the rest of the Tour, particularly on his favoured hard courts. While he can no longer improve his ATP Ranking, he appears ready to embrace the challenge of holding on to the top spot.

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The ATP Tour heads to Indian Wells for the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season at the BNP Paribas Open.

Daniil Medvedev will lead the field as the new World No. 1, with 19 of the Top 20 players in the ATP Rankings in action in the hard-court event. Rafael Nadal will look to extend his perfect 15-0 start to the season, while Stefanos Tsitsipas will be seeking his first title of the year.

ATPTour.com looks at 10 things to watch this week.

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1) BNP Paribas Open Returns To March: For the first time since 2019, the BNP Paribas Open will take place in the tournament’s regular March slot in the ATP Tour calendar. The Masters 1000 event was cancelled in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, before it was moved to October last season, also because of the pandemic. The hard-court event, which takes place at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, has been named the ATP Masters 1000 Tournament of the Year in the ATP Awards a record seven times, receiving the honour once again in 2021.

2) New World No. 1 Medvedev: After climbing to the top of the ATP Rankings last month, Medvedev will compete as the World No. 1 for the first time in Indian Wells. The 26-year-old will be aiming to win the fifth Masters 1000 trophy. However, Medvedev has never been beyond the fourth round in four previous appearances at the event. He will look to change that in the next two weeks.

3) Nadal Perfect In 2022: Nadal has reminded everyone what he is capable of in the early weeks of 2022, clinching trophies at the Melbourne Summer Set, Australian Open and the Abierto Mexicano Telcel presentado por HSBC. The 21-time major champion is 15-0 on the season and has fond memories in Indian Wells, where he triumphed in 2007, 2009 and 2013.

4) Rublev On Fire: Andrey Rublev arrives in Indian Wells off the back of a dream February, when he captured back-to-back titles in Marseille and Dubai. The World No. 6, who has won his past nine matches, reached the third round in California last season. The 24-year-old has won five ATP 500 crowns, but will be targeting his first Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells.

5) Berrettini, Tsitsipas & Zverev Seeking First Trophy Of 2022: Top 10 stars Matteo Berrettini, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev are all aiming to win their first title of the season in Indian Wells. Berrettini reached the semi-finals at the Australian Open, while Tsitsipas advanced to the final in Rotterdam. Zverev’s best performance of the year was a run to the championship match in Montpellier.

Tsitsipas and Zverev recorded quarter-final showings in Indian Wells last year, while Berrettini lost in the third round.

6) Kyrgios & Murray Receive Wild Cards: Nick Kyrgios and Andy Murray will both be in action after receiving wild cards. Kyrgios soared to the Australian Open men’s doubles crown with Thanasi Kokkinakis and will make his fifth appearance in Indian Wells, with his highlight a quarter-final run in 2017.

Murray’s best result in the California desert came in 2009 when he advanced to the final. The Scot, who defeated #NextGenATP Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz in Indian Wells last year, reached the championship match in Sydney at the start of the season.

7) Reigning Champion Norrie: Cameron Norrie broke new ground when he clinched his first Masters 1000 title in Indian Wells last October. That victory helped him earn an alternate spot at the Nitto ATP Finals, where he played two matches.

The World No. 12 defeated Nikoloz Basilashvili in last year’s Indian Wells final to become the first British champion in the tournament’s 45-year history. Norrie has already tasted success in 2022, lifting the trophy in Delray Beach. The 26-year-old arrives at the BNP Paribas Open chasing more success on American soil.

8) #NextGenATP Stars In Action: Carlos Alcaraz, Lorenzo Musetti and Jannik Sinner will look to continue to make their mark on Tour in Indian Wells. Alcaraz became the youngest ATP 500 champion since the category was created in 2009 when he triumphed in Rio de Janeiro in February, while Sinner earned an impressive four tour-level titles in 2021. Musetti is still seeking his maiden tour-level trophy, but reached the quarter-finals in Pune and Rotterdam this season. All three are making their second appearance in Indian Wells.

9) Home Favourites To Watch: Home supporters in Indian Wells will need to be on high alert with 13 Americans (not including qualifiers) in the draw. World No. 20 Taylor Fritz will lead the charge, with Jenson Brooksby, Sebastian Korda and Brandon Nakashima exciting young talents to watch.

Steve Johnson, Sam Querrey and Jack Sock received wild cards, while Maxime Cressy will look to build on his strong start to the season following his run to the final at the Melbourne Summer Set. Toronto finalist Reilly Opelka will also be dangerous with his thunderous serve as he aims to go one step further in Indian Wells than he did at the Canadian Masters 1000 tournament.

Marcos Giron, John Isner, Mackenzie McDonald, Tommy Paul and Frances Tiafoe make up the American contingent.

10) Mektic/Pavic Lead Doubles Draw: Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic will headline the field in the doubles draw, looking to clinch their first title of the season. The Croatians will face stiff competition from Toronto titlists Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury, four-time Masters 1000 victors Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos and reigning Indian Wells champions John Peers and Filip Polasek. Singles stars Alcaraz and Pablo Carreno Busta will team, with Australian Open champions Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis also in action.

Fast-rising Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz is quickly becoming familiar with the inner workings of photoshoots. Recently he was the cover boy for Men’s Health and this week in Indian Wells he is participating in the joint ATP/WTA Super Shoot for the first time.

“It’s nice to experience these kinds of moments. It’s so different, off the court,” said the 18-year-old, who is already a member of the Top 20 in the ATP Rankings. “I like the photo shoots; it’s the other part of your work. For me it’s relaxing.

“I’m getting used to it a little bit more. Every tournament is a new shoot or new things to do.”

Featuring around 150 players, the shoot began Monday and remained intense Tuesday and Wednesday as players busily filed through various stations for photo, video, social and website needs.

World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev led the field Tuesday, joining the likes of Andrey Rublev, Andy Murray and Nick Kyrgios, who rocked up in a purple Lakers’ hoodie. Wednesday’s lineup included Rafael Nadal, Matteo Berrettini, defending BNP Paribas Open champion Cameron Norrie, Alexander Zverev and Americans Sebastian Korda and Reilly Opelka.

All photos are Getty Images for ATP

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World No. 2 Novak Djokovic withdrew from the BNP Paribas Open and the Miami Open presented by Itau on Wednesday afternoon.

“While I was automatically listed in the @BNPPARIBASOPEN and @MiamiOpen draw I knew it would be unlikely I’d be able to travel,” Djokovic tweeted. “The CDC has confirmed that regulations won’t be changing so I won’t be able to play in the US. Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments.”

While I was automatically listed in the @BNPPARIBASOPEN and @MiamiOpen draw I knew it would be unlikely I’d be able to travel. The CDC has confirmed that regulations won’t be changing so I won’t be able to play in the US. Good luck to those playing in these great tournaments 👊

— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) March 9, 2022

Since Thursday’s order of play has not yet been released, Grigor Dimitrov will become the 33rd seed and be moved to the last line in the draw, Djokovic’s spot. He will play Belgian David Goffin or Australian Jordan Thompson in the second round. If the Bulgarian faces Goffin, it will be a rematch of the 2017 Nitto ATP Finals championship match.

A qualifier or lucky loser will replace Dimitrov on Line 93, where he will challenge American Tommy Paul.

The final round of BNP Paribas Open is being played on Wednesday, while main-draw action at the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the year starts Thursday in the California desert.

A world-class lineup of top coaches, players and sports scientists will come together for the second World Tennis Conference, to be held virtually from March 24-27. Now open for registration, WTC2 provides an unmatched learning opportunity for tennis coaches around the globe.

After its successful debut in 2021, the event’s second edition continues its mission to connect the world’s top high-performance tennis coaches and sports scientists with other coaches and people around the world. The four-day program is thoughtfully designed to raise the level of understanding surrounding player development, while helping ambitious tennis coaches develop.

More than 60 speakers from 29 countries will participate in the virtual event, including former ATP World No. 1 players, Grand Slam champions and tennis legends. Many top current coaches on the ATP Tour are also among the speakers, as well as Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup coaches, and top sports

A star-studded lineup of top coaches, players and sports scientists will come together for the second World Tennis Conference, to be held virtually from March 24-27. Now open for registration, WTC2 provides an unmatched learning opportunity for tennis coaches around the globe.

After its successful debut in 2021, the event’s second edition continues its mission to connect the world’s top high-performance tennis coaches and sports scientists with other coaches and people around the world. The four-day program is thoughtfully designed to raise the level of understanding surrounding player development, while helping ambitious tennis coaches on their journey of self-development.

More than 60 speakers from 29 countries will participate in the virtual event, including former ATP World No. 1 players, Grand Slam champions and tennis legends. Many top current coaches on the ATP Tour are also among the speakers, as well as Davis Cup and Billie Jean King Cup coaches, and top sports scientists. In addition to a schedule full of expert individual talks, each day of the conference will feature two live panel discussions.

Boris Becker, Brad Gilbert, Tommy Haas, Nicolas Massu, Toni Nadal and Craig O’Shannessy are among the many talented speakers.

Attendees of WTC2 will be on the cutting edge with the latest information on mental and physical development, biomechanics, nutrition, sports medicine, technology and more.

The inaugural World Tennis Conference welcomed 1,1000 coaches from 74 countries. To learn more and to register to be a part of WTC2, visit worldtennisconference.com.

Officially certified by the ATP Tour, the event is organized by the Global Professional Tennis Coaches Association (GPTCA) and the Segal Institute (SI), and will be powered by the educational platform CoachTube.

Hear from some of the coaches who are part of the event as they describe the importance of the conference:

Gilles Cervara (Coach of World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev)

“From my point of view, I think it’s very important to develop coaching programs to transmit our experience and our knowledge to coaches from all over the world who want to learn and improve. Because it’s a human process and human value to do it. I wouldn’t have been who I am today if some important people didn’t transmit me their knowledge and experiences or just share their time to explain to me how to improve.”

Toni Nadal (Rafael Nadal’a formative coach and uncle, won 17 Grand Slams with Nadal)

“Today we live in a world where everything evolves rapidly. If we do not want to be left behind, we have no choice but to continue learning, to continue training constantly. I also think it is basic and necessary for the people who are dedicated to the development of young people to learn and train. This conference can help you improve your knowledge, learn and evolve within your activity. A big hug to everyone and I really hope that this conference will help you.”

Alberto Castellani (GPTCA President and top ATP coach)

“As GPTCA President, I would like to mention we are deeply integrated with ATP to keep developing and certifying coaches. In WTC2  we have three big goals. First is to make the biggest and most important tennis conference in the world. The second is to bring as many coaches as possible to share all this important knowledge. The last one is most important: to change the concept of coaching, raising a new level in the art. Having all the information in WTC2, with scientific data plus personal and tennis stories from many of the best coaches in the world, will stimulate all others to move their creativity and imagination to make our work like art. Every tennis player is a masterpiece. This is our mission, an artistic movement.

Ivan Ljubicic (Coach of Roger Federer and former ATP No. 3)

“I’m proud to be part of WTC2. This is a fantastic initiative to share knowledge with coaches during the conference about the improvement of our sport, which is something that we were missing for a long time. A lot of tennis people will find it very interesting and useful. I’m privileged and happy to be part of it.”

Frederic Fontang (Coach of World No. 9 Felix Auger-Aliassime)

“I always consider that information is the key — sharing knowledge with players, parents and coaches who will help to build a better tennis world and keep enjoying our sport. That’s the importance of WTC2.”

Vincenzo Santopadre (Coach of World No. 7 Mateo Berrettini)

“It’s a honour to be part of WTC2. In this unbelievable conference, we have a powerful and amazing lineup of speakers. Sharing ideas coming from key people and coaches is something that can improve our level. Here, everybody is curious about what each coach is saying and thinking. I believe this is an important part that each coach should focus on to be better day by day. I found that at the high level, everybody is thinking in that way — that it is very important to share — because through sharing everyone can be better.

Liam Smith (Top ATP/WTA  coach, TP Coaches Committee member, Coach of Coco Gauff, Former coach of Gael Monfils)

“Coaches learn so much from each other, sharing their experiences and knowledge with one another. Coach education is paramount to us all being better coaches and fully developing our players. All of us can continue learn all the time.”

Claudio Pistolesi (Top ATP coach, ATP Coaches Committee member, Former coach of Robin Soderling and Daniela Hantuchova)

“I feel totally involved and proud on this WTC2 by GPTCA/SI because I was involved for many years in the ATP with the privilege to serve eight years in the ATP Player Council and currently in the last four years, in the ATP Coaches Committee. So ATP coaching was for me the last 12 years and we achieved a lot, creating this category: ATP Coaches. Also I was one of the founders of the GPTCA organisation in New York, doing more than 40 courses for them. Since last year, GPTCA and Segal Institute created WTC and I was the link with the ATP with the principle that sharing is the key. Sharing makes you grow. The first edition was amazing, and now the second edition is shaping up even better with amazing organisation. Reading the list of coaches in WTC2, you can see that any level of coach will benefit to be part of it. It’s very good that the ATP is backing it up and offering ATP coaches the opportunity to take part. This is different, important; something new that is promoting tennis coaching and human values with quality. Enjoy this fantastic WTC2.”

Ann Grossman (WTCA president and former Top 30 WTA player)

“We love to be part of WTC2. The WTCA is the global hub for coaching women’s tennis. Our mission is to keep more girls in tennis by advancing the coaching of female players across the sport. A positive side effect is to create more opportunities for women to coach high-performance female players. Also, WTCA plans on aiding passionate coaches in order to enhance the world of comments tennis.”

Nicolas Massu (Dominic Thiem´s coach and former ATP No. 9)

“It’s fundamental for us to keep growing in our sport and to have success in life and tennis; to learn more, listen more, and be open-minded to new ideas and concepts to apply. For that reason WTC2 is helping us on those objectives.”

Fernando Segal (WTC2 organizer/director and founder of Segal Institute)

“One of the fundamental purposes of WTC2 is to create a bridge between the best tennis coaches, scientists, key personalities and legends to tennis coaches and people from all over the world. Here, we are sharing principles, stories, successful cases, recommendations, tips, fundamental concepts, research and more, to keep contributing to create awareness and development in tennis coaching and in our sport. WTC2 is ‘Love for Tennis’ in its entire conception from all who are part of it. It’s a continuous movement to create growth.”

scientists. In addition to a schedule full of expert individual talks, each day of the conference will feature two live panel discussions.

Boris Becker, Brad Gilbert, Tommy Haas, Nicolas Massu, Toni Nadal and Craig O’Shannessy are among the speakers.

Attendees of WTC2 will be on the cutting edge with the latest information on mental and physical development, biomechanics, nutrition, sports medicine, technology and more.

The inaugural World Tennis Conference welcomed 1,1000 coaches from 74 countries. To learn more and to register to be a part of WTC2, visit worldtennisconference.com.

Officially certified by the ATP Tour, the event is organised by the Global Professional Tennis Coaches Association (GPTCA) and the Segal Institute (SI), and will be powered by the educational platform CoachTube.

Hear from some of the coaches who are part of the event as they describe the importance of the conference:

Gilles Cervara (Coach of World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev)

“From my point of view, I think it’s very important to develop coaching programs to transmit our experience and our knowledge to coaches from all over the world who want to learn and improve. Because it’s a human process and human value to do it. I wouldn’t have been who I am today if some important people didn’t transmit me their knowledge and experiences or just share their time to explain to me how to improve.”

Toni Nadal (Rafael Nadal’a formative coach and uncle, won 17 Grand Slams with Nadal)

“Today we live in a world where everything evolves rapidly. If we do not want to be left behind, we have no choice but to continue learning, to continue training constantly. I also think it is basic and necessary for the people who are dedicated to the development of young people to learn and train. This conference can help you improve your knowledge, learn and evolve within your activity. A big hug to everyone and I really hope that this conference will help you.”

Alberto Castellani (GPTCA President and top ATP coach)

“As GPTCA President, I would like to mention we are deeply integrated with ATP to keep developing and certifying coaches. In WTC2  we have three big goals. First is to make the biggest and most important tennis conference in the world. The second is to bring as many coaches as possible to share all this important knowledge. The last one is most important: to change the concept of coaching, raising a new level in the art. Having all the information in WTC2, with scientific data plus personal and tennis stories from many of the best coaches in the world, will stimulate all others to move their creativity and imagination to make our work like art. Every tennis player is a masterpiece. This is our mission, an artistic movement.

Ivan Ljubicic (Coach of Roger Federer and former ATP No. 3)

“I’m proud to be part of WTC2. This is a fantastic initiative to share knowledge with coaches during the conference about the improvement of our sport, which is something that we were missing for a long time. A lot of tennis people will find it very interesting and useful. I’m privileged and happy to be part of it.”

Frederic Fontang (Coach of World No. 9 Felix Auger-Aliassime)

“I always consider that information is the key — sharing knowledge with players, parents and coaches who will help to build a better tennis world and keep enjoying our sport. That’s the importance of WTC2.”

Vincenzo Santopadre (Coach of World No. 7 Matteo Berrettini)

“It’s a honour to be part of WTC2. In this unbelievable conference, we have a powerful and amazing lineup of speakers. Sharing ideas coming from key people and coaches is something that can improve our level. Here, everybody is curious about what each coach is saying and thinking. I believe this is an important part that each coach should focus on to be better day by day. I found that at the high level, everybody is thinking in that way — that it is very important to share — because through sharing everyone can be better.

Liam Smith (Top ATP/WTA  coach, TP Coaches Committee member, Coach of Coco Gauff, Former coach of Gael Monfils)

“Coaches learn so much from each other, sharing their experiences and knowledge with one another. Coach education is paramount to us all being better coaches and fully developing our players. All of us can continue learn all the time.”

Claudio Pistolesi (Top ATP coach, ATP Coaches Committee member, Former coach of Robin Soderling and Daniela Hantuchova)

“I feel totally involved and proud on this WTC2 by GPTCA/SI because I was involved for many years in the ATP with the privilege to serve eight years in the ATP Player Council and currently in the last four years, in the ATP Coaches Committee. So ATP coaching was for me the last 12 years and we achieved a lot, creating this category: ATP Coaches. Also I was one of the founders of the GPTCA organisation in New York, doing more than 40 courses for them. Since last year, GPTCA and Segal Institute created WTC and I was the link with the ATP with the principle that sharing is the key. Sharing makes you grow. The first edition was amazing, and now the second edition is shaping up even better with amazing organisation. Reading the list of coaches in WTC2, you can see that any level of coach will benefit to be part of it. It’s very good that the ATP is backing it up and offering ATP coaches the opportunity to take part. This is different, important; something new that is promoting tennis coaching and human values with quality. Enjoy this fantastic WTC2.”

Ann Grossman (WTCA president and former Top 30 WTA player)

“We love to be part of WTC2. The WTCA is the global hub for coaching women’s tennis. Our mission is to keep more girls in tennis by advancing the coaching of female players across the sport. A positive side effect is to create more opportunities for women to coach high-performance female players. Also, WTCA plans on aiding passionate coaches in order to enhance the world of comments tennis.”

Nicolas Massu (Dominic Thiem´s coach and former ATP No. 9)

“It’s fundamental for us to keep growing in our sport and to have success in life and tennis; to learn more, listen more, and be open-minded to new ideas and concepts to apply. For that reason WTC2 is helping us on those objectives.”

Fernando Segal (WTC2 organizer/director and founder of Segal Institute)

“One of the fundamental purposes of WTC2 is to create a bridge between the best tennis coaches, scientists, key personalities and legends to tennis coaches and people from all over the world. Here, we are sharing principles, stories, successful cases, recommendations, tips, fundamental concepts, research and more, to keep contributing to create awareness and development in tennis coaching and in our sport. WTC2 is ‘Love for Tennis’ in its entire conception from all who are part of it. It’s a continuous movement to create growth.”