Tournament organisers are tearing their hair out as two of their biggest pulling cards exit the Miami Masters.
The insurmountably bad news is both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have withdrawn – Federer prior to the the main draw, Nadal in the third set of his opening match.
To the relief of Federer fans, his much-anticipated return after arthroscopic surgery on his knee was halted by a stomach virus, not injury. Funnily enough, the injury in question wasn’t the result of playing tennis; he was drawing a bath for his twin girls, Myla and Charlene.
Although the world is lamenting his continued absence, the tennis universe will not be devoid of its stellar entity for much longer. Thankfully, Federer will compete in the Monte Carlo Masters, commencing April 11.
As for Rafael Nadal, his withdrawal came under somewhat more dramatic circumstances. The King of Clay blasted through the first set 6-2 against world No.94 Damir Dzumhur, showcasing some of the vintage Nadal on display at Indian Wells.
However, both players wilted at the soaring temperatures under the Miami sun, accentuated by the sweltering humidity, and the fact the match was played in the heat of the day.
Dzumhur was the first to falter, calling for a medical time out at the end of the first set. After a rest and an anti-nausea tablet, the Bosnian’s level improved in set two. However, Nadal’s level took a sudden and inexplicable drop; it was obvious all was not right with the Spaniard.
After Nadal made a number of uncharacteristic unforced errors, including blowing a break point by sending an easy forehand long, Dzumhur took the second set 6-4, and Nadal called for his own medical time out.
Citing severe dizziness, the former world No.1 asked for medication and some salt. However, for some unimaginable reason, neither was available.
Regardless of the fact Nadal has a history of suffering badly in extremely humid conditions, he opted to continue the match, and immediately went down 2-0 in the third. Unable to move freely, he returned to the sidelines, collapsed into his chair, and called once again for the medic.
Nadal’s ashen face and sluggish speech indicated a retirement was on the cards, but he stood and pushed on for one more service game. Finally, after being broken again, the Spaniard opted out.
The decision came as a huge shock, as Nadal has not withdrawn from a match for six years. The last time was the 2010 Australian Open quarter-finals against Andy Murray.
However, rather than accepting the withdrawal of the 14-time grand slam champion with grace and respect, 23-year-old Dzumhur celebrated with a whoop and a number of fist pumps. Although Dzumhur’s elation at being gifted a spot in the third round by a clearly distressed Nadal is understandable, it would seem unsportsmanlike to blatantly celebrate an opponent’s ill-health.
This is especially so as Nadal requested to have his blood pressure taken on court because he feared losing consciousness, and stated afterwards he thought it was the beginning of a virus.
Awkwardly enough, Dzumhur revealed he had spoken to Novak Djokovic after the match, and outlined the world No.1’s thoughts on the situation.
“I met Novak Djokovic after the match and he told me to be proud of myself, because Nadal has never surrendered a match in his career before,” Dzumhur stated to The Sarajevo Times.
“I would not like my victory to be diminished because Nadal surrendered the match.”
Unless Dzumhur somehow controls the Miami weather, Nadal’s health, and the tournament schedule, asserting Nadal’s retirement was somehow wholly to do with the world No.94’s game was another foot-in-mouth moment for Djokovic. More to the point, it’s inaccurate; Nadal has withdrawn from matches before, albeit only seven times in a 15-year career.
Either way, any words remotely to that effect after a player’s withdrawal are in as poor taste as Djokovic’s mention of “female hormones” in last week’s notorious Indian Wells post-win press conference. The fact Nadal was arguably the only player to have seriously pushed Djokovic at Indian Wells, and was a possible contender for the Miami title, only makes it more inappropriate.
Of course, there’s a chance Djokovic didn’t mean exactly what he said. It’s a fairly uncharacteristic statement, from a man so renowned for his good humour. Maybe Dzumhur’s retelling of their encounter was clouded by excitement and adrenaline – which was, funnily enough, Djokovic’s excuse for last week’s passive aggressive comments opposing equal pay for women in tennis.
But overall, it’s been a bad week of PR for Djokovic, an anti-climactic week for Federer, and a wholly frustrating week for Nadal, who was looking to build on his excellent Indian Wells run. Let’s hope Monte Carlo yields more positive feelings for players, tournament organisers, and audiences alike.
pedja
Guest
absolutely and totally agree with @djokonut ... now days everyone and their grandmother are so eager to blame Novak for everything and anything, now even trying to pull him in Nadal's withdrawal. Damir outlasted Nadal and he won the match fair and square ... what do you expect, should he cry? It's his first big win, let him enjoy. There is no harm done from any player so don't try to artificially make some, make love not war
alexxx
Guest
Djokovic told Dzumbur what he did to give the guy wind in his back, he's a young player with a good potential and Djokovic wanted to help the young guy to give him support, not to dis Nadal!
dapris
Guest
daisy cousens. I just read your article about nadal's retirement and djokovic.Truly speaking i am very disappointed with you. Your bias about djokovic is not called for.I have been following tennis for about 5 years now.I like the competition the top guys have given us. Djokovic praises nadaL in the statement to Damir Dzumhur.Saying nadal has never retired just shows how much resoect djokovic has for nadal.But instead you try to twist his statement and make it look as if he is mocking nadal.Djokovic has the most respect for his rivals especially nadal who they practice more often. I know maybe djokovic voiced his opinion about equal pay which was not appropriate but common.give that guy a break. that man has toiled to get himself to the top.can you tell me any player that stayed world no3 as long as novak.Constantly pressuring federer and nadal before breaking them.He does his best to please his crowds , entertains and still produces good tennis.but yet negative journalist like you keep trying to make him look bad.You are the people try to force boos on him.Thak God he is dominating and i know he will continue.Please change.Journalism needs no bias.I wish you luck cuz you seem like a good writer
dapris
Guest
I have been following tennis for about 5 years now.I like the competition the top guys have given us. Djokovic praises nadaL in the statement to Damir Dzumhur.Saying nadal has never retired just shows how much resoect djokovic has for nadal.But instead you try to twist his statement and make it look as if he is mocking nadal.Djokovic has the most respect for his rivals especially nadal who they practice more often. I know maybe djokovic voiced his opinion about equal pay which was not appropriate but common.give that guy a break. that man has toiled to get himself to the top.can you tell me any player that stayed world no3 as long as novak.Constantly pressuring federer and nadal before breaking them.He does his best to please his crowds , entertains and still produces good tennis.
Ritesh Misra
Roar Guru
Rafa was nowhere a contender for this Tournament at all. Look at his record here. Not a single win. For someone whose fitness was not enough to win his the 1st match at this tournament it is too simplicistic to call him a contender. Monte Carlo starting in 1st week of April, yes he is a contender. 8 consecutive titles here he has, only player to win 8 consecutive titles anywhere, in which he had 3 wins vs Fed and 2 vs Novak. Hence even though last 3 titles he has not won here, he is a contender. Not for present tournament where he has a terrible record by his standards
djokonut
Guest
He said that he said that he said. If you don't hear it from the horses mouth, it wasn't said. Assume Djokovic said something to the following. "Give yourself credit for outlasting Nadal in these conditions, afterall he is not one to give up for no reason. So despite the early retirement by Nadal, you won!" And please, reality check people, the era of Federer and Nadal is over, PERIOD! If you think at this point in his career Djokovic cares who is on the other side of the net in any match, any tournament, you are delusional. Everyone is afraid to meet Djokovic because they know they are going home early, especially in a 5-set encounter. Djokovic doesn't "benefit" from Nadal retiring. Djokovic had a bad day at the Indian wells semi-final and still had Nadal running all over the court unable to do much. That is just a reality. It's about time people start giving Novak some credit. In addition, earlier in his career, Novak struggled with asthma and dropped out of tough matches in the heat and Nadal and Federer always made backhanded comments, and no one said they should shut up. All I know is that when Novak beats Federer's grand slam record, which he will, the silence will be deafening!
leigh
Guest
I too appreciate your articles, Daisy and agree with all rafanut's comments . It's great to see Rafa getting some well deserved positive feedback from the media which has been so quick to write him off in recent months.
MilanClan
Guest
Rafa is a true gentleman and sportsman, he is admired by Djokovic for that. If you think of the situation, there is no benefit for Novak in Rafa's predicament, none whatsoever, I would say the opposite is rather the case. Cheers to you and long live Rafael P. Nadal, the King of Clay!!!
rafanut
Guest
Daisy, I highly value your insightful, thoughtful, articulate articles. This one above is particularly poignant. The world of sports and the fans are a cruel sort. That Nada was booed by the crowd, albeit a minority, is callous..... here is a man who has shown integrity, responsibility and the kind of sportsmanship unequalled by many. I can't think of one, not even the gentlemanly Federer, who is more willing to discuss his own "greatness" than Nadal ever has. And yet Damir and Djokovic can only think about their benefit in seeing Nadal retire. Shameful.... please someone make Djokovic stop talking !!