While some of the top 10 players in the world rankings are busy squaring off at the Davis Cup first round this weekend, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer are having plenty of time to reassess their game before getting back to tennis action.
After a two-week losing streak early in the season, Nadal is set to return in action at Indian Wells on Mar. 10, while Federer, currently recovering from a knee surgery that repaired a torn left meniscus, will not compete until the Monte Carlo-Rolex Masters.
Nadal's last competition was at the Rio Open, where he suffered yet another upset in the semifinals against Uruguayan Pablo Cuevas. It was the Spaniard's third consecutive tournament exit this season and his losses all came from lower ranked opponents, which puts the 29-year-old Mallorcan back to where he was last year.
His uncle and coach Toni admitted that the 14-time Grand Slam winner may have been losing "confidence and tranquility" in his game. But Toni, who has been mentoring Rafael since 1990, also thinks the "King of Clay" has stopped winning matches because the game has changed.
"It's not that you win or lose because of only one reason," Toni told Spanish media outlet El Espanol as translated by Tennis World USA.
"I've clear in my mind the reasons why Nadal stopped to win like he did before. Tennis is faster."
Nadal's two-week preparation for Indian Wells would serve him well in refocusing on the strengths of his game and conditioning his body and mind to get his first ATP title of the year.
Meanwhile, Federer is also taking his time for a comeback, with the Swiss Maestro recovering from a knee injury suffered a day after losing against Novak Djokovic in the semifinal round of the Australian Open.
Federer, who has surprisingly gotten back on the practice court just a few days after the surgery, would miss a chunk of competitive matches, which means less opportunity to gain points to get back atop the ATP world rankings.
However, it would also give the Swiss more time to recover in time for the French Open, where he has a chance to extend his all-time record 17 Grand Slams.
The Rehab for my knee is going really well! I have now had a lot of great practices on the court and in the gym. As it...
Posted by Roger Federer on Friday, 26 February 2016