Rafael Nadal is currently preparing to return to the court at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters after another injury hiatus. A Novak Djokovic superfan on X (formerly Twitter) sensationally accused the Spaniard of receiving undue favours from the tournament owner.
After making a much-awaited comeback at the 2024 Brisbane International, Nadal unfortunately suffered another injury setback after only three matches. Having missed all events since then, he will return with a Protected Ranking at the 2024 Indian Wells Masters. As an unseeded player in a stacked field, he could potentially receive a tough match-up in the first round itself.
However, one of the most polarising Djokovic fans on X alleged Nadal has prior information about his schedule. Pavvy G, who has infamously slammed Roger Federer as well, claimed the 22-time Grand Slam champion’s friendship with Larry Ellis, owner of the Indian Wells Masters, created a conflict of interest.
Rafael Nadal also shared a training photo on Instagram from a luxury resort owned by the Oracle co-founder. The Djokovic fan speculated that his match timings would be revealed to him before the official draw, courtesy of his closeness with Ellis.
Rafa Nadal is staying at the Indian Wells owner and billionaire Larry Ellison mansion and they are good friends.
Nadal is then told what day and session he will play in a masters event BEFORE the draw has even taken place.This is unprecedented, is this a conflict of interest? https://t.co/06lkEDvv8r
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) February 28, 2024
More fans of the Serb backed Pavvy G’s claims, some even alleging that Nadal will know who he is facing before the official draw.
Has he been told which wild card he will be playing?
— Samir Kumar (@SamirKu73625117) February 28, 2024
Does Rafa pick his first round opponent too?
— Scoop Malinowski (@scoopmalinowski) February 28, 2024
I hope that there is follow up on this. How do they know when he is going to play and we haven’t had the draw?
Anyhow, it’s a masters 1000. No matter how hard they try he won’t make much inroads here. They tried it with his last tournament and he was knocked by Jordan Thompson.
— Trudy Seivwright MD (@SeivwrightTrudy) February 29, 2024
This is a prime example of corruption
— Alaska_back (@Alaskaback9) February 28, 2024
His name is Rafa! One day they will declare him a winner without playing… https://t.co/5k9IJkwVuD
— Leonid Lurie ✡️ (@LeonidLurie) February 29, 2024
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic on good terms even as fan wars continue
While Nadal and Djokovic aren’t exactly best friends, they remain on good terms despite their storied rivalry. They have exchanged words many times in the past, but now, in the last leg of their respective careers, seem to have grown closer. The legendary duo were on the same flight to the USA recently. Posting a selfie they clicked together, they captioned it ‘good company’. This post took the internet by storm with many gushing over their apparent friendship.
View this post on Instagram
However, even as Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic come closer, a section of their fans keep warring with each other. The GOAT debate remains a sensitive topic for certain followers of the Big 3. For instance, the aforementioned allegations are an example of how certain fans refuse to move on from slinging mud at their favourite player’s rivals, even as the athletes themselves remain cordial.
