Federer’s success buoys tournament
MIAMI — For a major competition that lost the world’s top two men and the greatest women’s champion to injuries before the first ball was served, the mood was hardly gloomy Monday on the first day of the Miami Open.
Not with the best story in tennis, rejuvenated Roger Federer, headed for Key Biscayne after winning at Indians Wells on Sunday to become the oldest winner of a Masters 1000 crown, a resounding follow-up to his conquest in the Australia Open at the elevated age of 35.
So it mattered little when the men’s draw was completed that Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic were absent, rehabbing creaky elbows. Or that the wrong Swiss was seeded No. 1.
That would be Stan Wawrinka, who after losing the final of the BNP Paribas Open referred goodnaturedly to countryman Federer with an expletive — to the delight of the crowd at Indian Wells. And to the benefit of the Miami Open.
That’s why No. 6 seed Dominic Thiem, who pulled the chips in the draw ceremony, said the void of Murray and Djokovic didn’t make for an easier path to the title.
“Not really. I think the best player right now, Roger, he’s still here. He’s for sure the best player in this year, so it’s still an amazing draw,” Thiem said.
Never mind that Federer is seeded No. 4 for his first appearance at the Miami Open since 2014.
He will be the focus as the 14-time Grand Slam champion continues an unlikely climb in his bid to reclaim the top ranking in the world.
“He’s not playing unbelievable tennis for a 35-year-old, he’s playing unbelievable tennis for a 25-year-old,” tournament director Adam Barrett said.
“He’s had an unbelievable start to the year, and we’re excited that he’s on his way here and he’s on a streak, so we’d like him to continue it here in Miami.”
The best-case scenario would have Federer meeting old rival Rafael Nadal, seeded fifth and in the bottom half of the draw, in a reprise of their five-set 2005 final.
It won’t be an easy path for Federer, who could meet Juan Martin del Potro in the third round. Also in the top half of the draw are Wawrinka, Tomas Berdych and Thiem.
The absence of Murray and Djokovic could provide opportunity for others to step into the spotlight, such as Jack Sock, the top American at No. 13, or Thiem, an up-and-coming 23-year-old Austrian who lost to Wawrinka in the quarterfinals at Indian Wells.
“For us players, it’s not sad, it’s actually pretty good because the draw gets a little bit easier,” Thiem said of Nos. 1 and 2 missing, “but for the crowd it’s very sad. We wish that they are healthy soon again and are back at the clay court [season].”