Top Stories from Indian Wells 2012: Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic Under Siege

Several things were outstanding about the 2012 Indian Wells, and they all centred around the fact that, once again, we have realised the swift-changing nature of the tennis world.

We began over a week ago with an established powerhouse duo—Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal—at the top, with two "challengers" at their heels, Roger Federer and Andy Murray. We ended it with a somewhat altered perspective on the dominance of the former two. 

Indian Wells has typically been cast as the next big thing after the season-opening slam in Australia, and therefore somewhat indicative of the best player of the moment. The winner in Melbourne has won in California four out of the last six years, and we thought it was going to be the same for Djokovic this year.

Not turning out that way, we learnt a few other things about him, his rival Nadal, his tennis schoolmate Murray and the eventual champion, Federer. As well as a certain tall American who stunned the world. 

A Tougher 2012 Is Shaping up for Novak and Rafa 

We all probably expected something like this after a phenomenal 2011. They faced up in six finals last year, and were only just starting this time last March. What has transpired for the two—who haven't played more than a tournament (Dubai) between them since the Australian Open—was something of a lapse.

Admittedly, we can't talk only about failings, though. Novak and Rafa played great in their semis, but they were beaten anyway by men better on the day, John Isner and Federer.

Evidently, these two most famous losers this week are likely to face a less perfect year of rivalry in 2012; what could beat 2011? But they did lose in close matches and proved only that greatness hangs very finely in the balance. 

Murray's Big Surprise Was No Surprise 

Perhaps the most disappointing result was one of the first, with Andy Murray going down to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez 6-4, 6-2 in the second round. Many had thrust, again, high hopes for the Scot to reach ever higher peaks, but something about a Dubai hangover and a seemingly incorrigible, indecisive style of play oversaw his downfall, yet again.

Maybe it would have been better—victories at the Masters level haven't made much difference in his Grand Slam quests in the past, and one wouldn't expect anything different from defeats like this. Desultory losses like this do, however, eat away at his reputation as a major contender. 

Federer Is the No. 1 Man of the Moment 

Having won at Rotterdam and Dubai already in 2012, Federer set his sights on Indian Wells. While he faced considerable opposition from Raonic and Bellucci along the way, those very obstacles probably brought out the loose-swinging tennis purity he possesses.

Against Nadal, whom he beat on an outdoor court for the first time since Wimbledon 2007, he played majestically, and with his victim being who he was, one can only wonder if this should spark something really special for Federer's 2012, as it did in 2009.

Beating Isner in the title match allowed him to erase the imbalance of his only two losses over the last six months, against Nadal and Isner in remarkably similar matches. For Federer-fearers, watch out. 

Isner Shows There Is Much Room at the Top for Big Men 

The growing theme in the search for new winning tennis has shifted in emphasis in the last four seasons from having a well-rounded, versatile game to being strong and tennis-built, and importantly, tall.

Of course, it's never going to be possible to engineer a tall tennis player, but height has been a factor in the successes of Robin Soderling, Juan Martin Del Potro, Marin Cilic and now Isner. One of the latest additions, with the fuel of national success at the Davis Cup in February, unleashed some serious potential in the desert last week, with very credible wins over top players and world No. 1 Djokovic.

His is a serve that not even the best returner—Djokovic—could return efficiently, read it as he might have. And with a frame like his, power comes naturally and monstrously.

Isner, too, has the touch at net and only lags in being too fleet of foot—the bane of the tall. But only just. His conqueror at last was Federer, and to have beaten him before, even losing in a final, are very promising traits of this American.  

Miami starts next week, and it will be interesting to see if any of these four storylines hold up there. Federer may keep it going, while Nadal, Djokovic and Murray may see to theirs come the semifinals. There are doubts about Isner's endurance, but he may well surprise us again.