Roberto Bautista Agut Optimistic at Miami Open 2021 in the Absence of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and Thiem
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia, Rafael Nadal of Spain and Roger Federer of Switzerlan wait to go on stage during the ATP Heritage Celebration at The Waldorf=Astoria on in New York City. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
Miami Open 2021 is one of the flagship tournaments of the year. Along with Indian Wells, Miami Open is regarded as the biggest event outside of the Grand Slam events due to factors like prize money, viewership, crowds. But certain caveats this year have prompted several players to withdraw from the event.
Headlining the absentees are The Big 3, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. Along with them, Dominic Thiem will also not take part.
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Roger Federer of Switzerland shakes hands with Rafael Nadal. (Photo by Simon Bruty/Anychance/Getty Images)
The absence of big players gives the other players an opportunity to take a shot at the tournament of the caliber of the Miami Open. Spanish stalwart and World No.13, Roberto Bautista Agut, is brimming with confidence as he begins his Miami Open 2021 journey.
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In a recent interview, Bautista Agut named the absence of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Thiem as four major casualties as they are not playing the Miami Open.
“They will not be the three of them and neither will Thiem, so there are four important casualties.”
(Quotes have been translated)
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Roberto Bautista Agut in action during his semi-final match against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini. REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake.
Bautista Agut still reckons that anyone could beat anyone on the ATP Tour, but the fact that these four players are absent gives others more of a chance of winning an ATP Masters 1000 tournament.
“It is clear that tennis today is very even, any rival can beat you if you are not well, but a priori, that these four players are not in the tournament is good for those of us who are going to play the tournament.”
Why did Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Thiem withdraw from Miami Open 2021?
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There are multiple reasons for the absence of various players. Seeing the restrictions in place because of the coronavirus, World No.1 Novak Djokovic withdrew from Miami as he prioritized spending time with his family. Whereas his rival, Rafael Nadal, has been suffering a back injury since the Australian Open 2021, and thus, to prep himself for the clay-court season, he also decided against coming to Miami.
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Roger Federer of Switzerland and Novak Djokovic. (Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)
Injury returnee Roger Federer is looking for a smooth transition to regular tennis and so is managing his calendar very deliberately in order to be at his peak for the Wimbledon Championships.
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World No.4 Dominic Thiem has had a rough start to 2021 after a magical 2020. Multiple losses, at the hands of lower-ranked players, have seen Thiem taking time off to practice for the clay-court season.
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