The whole tennis world is currently enjoying the action at Indian Wells. While everyone had to accept the startling reality of not being able to see Rafael Nadal back on the court, they were still wondering if he would make up with the Miami Open. Bringing another reason for disappointment for the fans, Rafa denied his participation in the upcoming tour, with Novak Djokovic‘s unexpected call following in.

While Rafa’s career history reduces the intensity of shock as it has been a regular part of his strategy, it seems like his on-court rival and off-court friend Novak Djokovic is also following in his footsteps.

Novak Djokovic follows Rafael Nadal’s Miami exit strategy

Following Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the Miami Open, another major competitor, Novak Djokovic, has decided to skip the tournament as well. While it was normal for fans to accept Nadal’s exit because of his already-known strategy of preparing himself for the clay season, the move has sparked speculation that Djokovic might be taking a page from Nadal’s playbook, as he also seems to be prioritizing his preparation for the upcoming clay season.

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Looking back to his pattern in previous years, Nadal is accustomed to bypassing his participation in the Miami Open after Indian Wells in order to focus on training for the clay court events, which stands to be the court he rules. With Djokovic making a similar decision, it suggests a strategic approach to gearing up for the clay season has taken up the Serb’s mind as well.

While their absence from Miami may have disappointed the fans currently, their dedication towards focusing on the clay court season points to a potential rivalry that the fans might witness soon enough.

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Nadal plans on reaching the clay season unharmed

Rafael Nadal’s exhibition match against Carlos Alcaraz at the Netflix Slam not only gave fans a chance to witness him play but also opened opportunities for the world to know about his future plans. The veteran Spaniard, who is highly focused on being a part of the clay court season this year, revealed how he wants to avoid any injury before the time comes.

“For me, the priority is to try to get out of Indian Wells unscathed,” Nadal mentioned. He also made his intention for the clay season clearer by adding, “Whatever has to be left, leave it in the clay season, which may or may not be the last.” As the Serb follows his strategy of avoiding the tournament in Miami, it remains to be seen what surprises the upcoming clay season holds for the fans.