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Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have seen plenty of one another during the past 20 years.

But it would be fair to say that they’ve come face to face on the court more often than in the air. Perhaps that’s why World No. 1 Djokovic took to Instagram to share a selfie Rafa snapped when the legends met up on the same commercial flight to the United States.

Novak Djokovic & Rafael Nadal: The Rivalry | ATP Tour | Tennis

Both players are preparing for the year’s first ATP Masters 1000 tournament, the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.

Djokovic, who has won five titles in Indian Wells, including a hat-trick between 2014-16, will compete at the event for the first time since 2019. And it will be just his third tournament of the year, and first since the Australian Open, where the Serbian fell to Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals.

Nadal vs Djokovic: GOAT, head-to-head, stats, all you need to know about  the rivalry - updated with 2022 Roland-Garros - Tennis Majors

Nadal triumphed in the desert in 2007, ’09 and ’13. His most recent appearance was in 2022, when he defeated Nick Kyrgios and Carlos Alcaraz in the quarters and semis before falling to Taylor Fritz in the final.

Nadal, 37, has not played since his long-awaited return to the tour in the first week of the season in Brisbane, where he defeated Dominic Thiem and Jason Kubler before losing to Jordan Thompson in the quarter-finals. The Spaniard suffered a micro muscle tear in Brisbane and missed the Australian Open

Serena Williams recently revealed that she needed to take a break and spend some time relaxing and taking some ‘me-time’.

Williams, who became a mother of two after she gave birth to her daughter Adira in August of 2023, told her fans that she needed a day to relax in her bed. The tennis icon seems to have her hands full with motherhood and her new ventures

This isn’t the first time the American legend has opened up about the struggles of motherhood. Recently, she revealed that she had to get up at 4 am to pump breast milk.

Serena Williams Earns First Singles Match Win in 430 Days

In the video, Williams mentioned that it has been a while since she was awake this early. She also mentioned that she would go back to sleep as soon as she was done pumping.

Roger Federer born on August 8, 1981, in Basel, Switzerland rose to prominence as a Swiss tennis sensation, captivating the world with his extraordinary versatility on the court. Throughout the early 21st century, he established himself as a dominant force in the sport, showcasing unparalleled skill and finesse in every aspect of his game.

Federer’s illustrious career saw him etch his name in the annals of tennis history, most notably with his unprecedented success at Wimbledon, where he clinched a record eight titles, solidifying his status as a true grass-court maestro. In 2018, he shattered records once again by becoming the first player in history to amass a staggering 20 Grand Slam men’s singles titles, a feat that underscored his unrivalled mastery of the sport

Roger Federer Doc From 'Amy' Director Asif Kapadia Set at Prime Video

Renowned for his graceful style of play and impeccable technique, Federer captivated audiences worldwide with his mesmerizing shot-making and strategic prowess on the court. His ability to effortlessly transition between defensive and offensive play made him a formidable opponent, earning him accolades and admiration from fans and peers alike.

Off the court, Federer’s charismatic personality and unwavering sportsmanship endeared him to millions, further solidifying his status as a global icon and ambassador for the sport of tennis. His philanthropic efforts and dedication to various charitable causes also reflected his commitment to making a positive impact beyond the confines of the tennis court.

Andy Roddick has dismissed the alarmist discourse surrounding Carlos Alcaraz’s recent dip in form, asserting that it’s unjust to judge him harshly simply because he hasn’t reached the same heights as tennis legends Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Serena Williams.

Alcaraz’s shock defeat to Nicolas Jarry in the semifinals of the Argentina Open not only put an end to his title defense but also extended his title drought to nine tournaments since his triumph at the Wimbledon Championships last year. The Spaniard’s slump has become a prevalent topic of discussion in the tennis community, with concerns raised about his ability to bounce back.

Australian Open 2021: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Serena  Williams commit to playing at Melbourne Park

However, Andy Roddick and tennis journalist Jon Wertheim shut down such concerns on the latest episode of the ‘Served with Andy Roddick’ podcast. Wertheim emphasized that Carlos Alcaraz had already achieved a career worthy of the Hall of Fame, having won two Grand Slam titles before the age of 21.

He also pointed out that Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic were outliers for their dominance, suggesting that Alcaraz’s career trajectory was much more reasonable and common.

Adocumentary will showcase Roger Federer’s final moments in his tennis career. The 20-time Grand Slam singles champion and eight-time Wimbledon winner retired in 2022 after participating in the Laver Cup in London.

Directed by British filmmaker Asif Kapadia, the Amazon Prime Video feature will delve into the last 12 days of Federer’s professional journey.

It promises to reveal Federer’s most vulnerable and candid moments as he bids farewell to the sport and the fans who have been a part of his life for the past two decades.

The documentary includes home videos that were never intended for public viewing.

Roger Federer | Biography, Championships, & Facts | Britannica

“Initially, the idea was to capture the final moments of my professional tennis career so that I could have it later to show my family and friends. During my career, I tended to shy away from having cameras around me and my family, especially during important moments. But I didn’t see the harm in shooting this as it was never intended for the public. However, we captured so many powerful moments, and it transformed into a deeply personal journey. I am happy to partner with Prime Video because of their vast global reach and significant presence in the film industry. This ensures that the story of my final days in tennis will resonate with both tennis enthusiasts and broader audiences worldwide,” Federer said.

Just two months into the 2024 tennis season and after our first edition of our ATP power rankings we are definitely starting to see some players rise and potentially challenge Novak Djokovic for the top spot on the ATP tour. In fact, as you will see below, we see one player already overtaking Djokovic. For now, at least.

Following a busy week in Rotterdam, Buenos Aires, and Delray Beach last week – and it should be noted Djokovic played in none of those tournaments – but with mostly expected results, there were not many changes. The top of the rankings changed and the bottom as well.

The question is, of course, how long the new number one can stay atop the rankings. He has not lost this year so far. Here are the rankings as we see fit now.

Australian Open: Novak Djokovic's bid for 25th Grand Slam ended by Jannik  Sinner in semi-finals | Tennis News | Sky Sports

Power ranking the ATP top ten

1. Jannik Sinner (Previous ranking – 2)

Following his triumph in Rotterdam there is really no doubt that Sinner is the hottest name in the sport right now. The past few months have been incredible for the 22-year-old and with some big wins over players below him on the list in recent times, he has certainly justified his spot at number one.

It has been a long time since fans spotted Rafael Nadal playing tennis tournaments. With the upcoming Indian Wells 2024, this long wait will be finally over. Now before his participation, Nadal finally revisited his iconic 2013 season in front of the fans. He chose one specific match which he played after a leave of months due to a knee injury.

He won the match, which made the event more emotional for him. Now after more than a decade, this Spaniard legend takes his jibe at the emotional tennis moment in his life. Do you want to know which match it is?

Rafael Nadal aims to play at French Open, Olympics | The Straits Times

A reliable tennis source recently tweeted a clip, where Rafael Nadal is spotted speaking about his life’s one very special match. Sharing the clip, this source wrote- “‘It’s probably one of the most emotional victories of my career.’ @RafaelNadal reflects on his 2013 final against Del Potro #TennisParadise.

Rafael Nadal: Spaniard hopes to compete at this year's French Open and the  Olympics | Tennis News | Sky Sports

In this clip, Nadal is spotted saying-“2013, I think the final against, Del Potro have been so special for me because it was the first tournament on a hard after more than a year because I had a very important injury on my knee. And so I was outside of the tour for eight months and then I came back. I play in South America, playing in Vina del Mar, then Sao Paulo and then in Acapulco that I played great in Acapulco but then I was not sure if I coming me here or not because the doctors told me better, you don’t go to play too hard, but I decided to come.”

Emma Raducanu has received high praise following her return to the court this year

Tennis pundit Mark Petchey believes that Emma Raducanu is capable of winning ‘multiple Grand Slams’ now that she has returned to full fitness. The 21-year-old endured an injury-ridden 2023 but is hoping to get her career back on track on this year’s tour.

Following her US Open success in 2021, Raducanu struggled to build on the momentum gained at Flushing Meadows. Recurring injuries and shaky performances raised questions about whether the Brit can continue to compete at the very top level.

Get to Know Emma Raducanu, the British teen making history at Wimbledon

Raducanu underwent surgery on both her wrists and her ankle last year and she has now returned to the court. The former world No. 10 has won three and lost four of her matches so far this year, and slowly but surely she appears to be finding her form.

Several former players have emerged with praise for how Raducanu has returned, with Petchey among those to talk up her chances now that she has gone under the knife. He told The i newspaper: “She is moving well.

Serena Williams once claimed that she was drawing inspiration from Pete Sampras to reclaim the World No. 1 rank.

In 2002, Williams sat atop the WTA Rankings for the first time after winning Wimbledon, defeating her sister Venus in straight sets. However, the subsequent year saw her fall down the ladder due to surgery on the quadriceps tendon in her knee, during the US Swing in August.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion returned to the sport in 2004 after a short hiatus and concluded the year ranked No. 7. This was followed by a No. 11 finish in 2005, marking her first time finishing a season outside the Top 10 since 1998.

Serena Williams Earns First Singles Match Win in 430 Days

When starting her campaign at the 2006 Australian Open, Serena Williams was asked by reporters if she had set herself any new goals of reclaiming the World No. 1 rank.

Williams replied in affirmative, citing Pete Sampras’ example. She mentioned that although she used to criticize her compatriot for his constant ambition, she gradually came to understand his perspective.

Williams was eliminated from the Melbourne Slam that year in the third round by Daniela Hantuchova in straight sets.

Serena Williams | Biography, Titles, & Facts | Britannica

Subsequently, the American took a six-month break from professional tennis due to suffering from depression. By the end of the year, she was ranked World No. 95, marking her lowest year-ending rank since 1997.

 Djokovic returned to practice on the tennis court for the first time since he was surprisingly eliminated by 22-year-old Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open in January.

Although he said goodbye without being able to win the first Grand Slam of 2024, Novak will compete in the 2024 Indian Wells tournament to be played from March 6 to 17, according to the schedule published on his website.

Djokovic will seek to win his sixth Indian Wells title in this 2024 edition, after having won it in 2008, 2011, 2014, 2015 and 2016. His last participation in this tournament was in 2019.

Novak Djokovic equals record with 58th grand slam quarter-final | beIN  SPORTS

The 36-year-old tennis player currently holds 40 ATP Masters titles. The last time Djokovic competed in a Masters tournament was in Paris in 2023, where he took the title by beating Grigor Dimitrov in the final.