ATP: Much Acapulco, little Dubai – Who plays where and when

Some of the tour stars such as Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem will be turning up the heat in the coming weeks, while others such as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic will take longer artistic breaks.

At least two scenarios are imaginable for the tennis fan after a Grand Slam tournament: On the one hand, something like an overkill could have occurred after the waking up Australian nights, a break is necessary. Or, as the real aficionado shows, the events in Melbourne were just the first Amuse Gueule of a big buffet for tennis gourmets. Those wondering when and where they will see the stars of the industry in the coming weeks.

With today’s status, the nominee lists give the following preview, subject to the possibility that some of the less busy men can still be invited to a tournament performance via wild card…

Roger Federer won’t be here until 08. March, in Indian Wells. There the Swiss has a title to defend, as well as at the event in Miami. If Federer were to miss out on the clay court season, as in 2017, his next assignment would not be scheduled until the 11th day of the season. June in Stuttgart. Good for regeneration of the Maestro, not so good for loyal followers.

Rafael Nadal, subject to a working hip flexor, will be more diligent in his work, knighting 500 ATP points in Acapulco before heading for Indian Wells. As you know, the Spaniard doesn’t think much of breaks on ashes, and the pre-season programme with Monte Carlo, Barcelona, Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros is likely to be in this campaign as well.

Marin Cilic and Dominic Thiem will probably meet more often in the coming weeks. The Australian Open finalist and Austria’s number one team will go on the South America tour together with Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro, followed by the start in Acapulco.

They will also meet Alexander Zverev there, who will give himself the South American sand, but would rather show it in the hall of Rotterdam.

Larger question marks can finally be found behind two masters of their profession: Stan Wawrinka’s start in Rotterdam is in abeyance, but the start in Indian Wells seems to be assured. Novak Djokovic is also expected to be back in business there at the latest.

In summary, this is not good news for the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Dubai, which has so far received only one top ten-man, namely ATP World Champion Grigor Dimitrov.