A former tennis champion recently came to the defense of a young American tennis star after she faced criticism for attending a high-profile awards ceremony right before the Indian Wells tournament. The young player walked the red carpet at the prestigious event alongside two other well-known female players.
Look who’s here 🤩
Welcome to Tennis Paradise, Djokovic & Murray đź‘‹#TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/xxY3jElomI
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 5, 2025
During an episode of his podcast, the former champion discussed the topic, stating that the player’s schedule likely wasn’t disrupted by attending the event. He emphasized that as a global sports figure, making appearances at major events is part of building her personal brand, which is essential for her career off the court as well. He also noted that people should focus their attention on athletes who genuinely struggle with professionalism and preparation, and not someone like her, who is known for her disciplined approach.
Separately, a top-ranked male player opened up about the circumstances surrounding his surprising early departure from a recent tournament in Mexico. The German player exited the competition in the second round and left the venue abruptly. Speaking before Indian Wells, he explained that he had been feeling unwell during the event, similar to several other players who also withdrew due to illness. He revealed that after his first-round match, he believed he could make a deep run in the tournament, but his condition deteriorated overnight, which ultimately led to his early elimination.
Meanwhile, a former World No. 1 from Japan publicly expressed disappointment in her own performance at Indian Wells, describing her first-round match as the worst she has ever played. The Japanese player lost in straight sets and later apologized to her supporters through a message on social media, where she admitted she felt embarrassed by her level of play.
In other developments, a 24-time Grand Slam winner from Serbia was seen arriving at Indian Wells to prepare for his upcoming matches. Interestingly, he was accompanied by a British tennis legend, with the two seen together for the first time since their encounters at the Australian Open. Following a disappointing campaign at a recent tournament in Qatar, the Serbian star enters Indian Wells as the sixth seed. The two former rivals were seen on the practice courts together, with the British player now serving in a coaching capacity, observing and advising during training sessions.