Bad day for No. 1s: Djokovic, Osaka lose at Indian Wells; Nishikori also ousted

Well, that'll be it for tennis news in Japanese media for a while. I think Osaka firing her coach is going to prove a fatal mistake in the long run, with it showing already in the short. Nishikori, meh... didn't expect him to get any further. He's Always overratted. As for the Joker, it is a real shame that rain cancelled the game part way through, but you can't win 'em all.

Well, that'll be it for tennis news in Japanese media for a while.

Actually, not necessarily. I watched an excellent 3rd round match that Nishioka won! He was up against Auger-Aliassime and pulled it out.

Nishikori?? Honestly, he is overrated. His injuries seem to be plaguing him. Reminds me a little of Andy Murray.

I think Osaka firing her coach is going to prove a fatal mistake in the long run, with it showing already in the short.

Osaka?? I sort of agree with the above. Not sure that it is a FATAL mistake, but I do think the firing of the coach is going to set her back for a while.

Hey, at least she has a coach. Last week's winner of the Mexico Open (500 event) was won by the Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios, who has no coach and spent his pre-match time at the beach jet skiing! See, having fun can get good results too.

How's that coaching situation working out for ya, Naomi.

Hey, at least she has a coach. Last week's winner of the Mexico Open (500 event) was won by the Australian bad boy Nick Kyrgios, who has no coach and spent his pre-match time at the beach jet skiing! See, having fun can get good results too.

I'll accept that statement when he wins a grand slam.

@rocketpanda--I'm just riffing on the thought that Osaka replaced Bajin because they had a different idea of how much fun is allowed. Though Kyrgios's fun is putting himself at risk of injury if he was really going all out on the jet-ski as I imagine he was. And verbally, I don't think Osaka should adopt his hardcore sledging approach or she will lose J sponsors and fans--stay above the fray and don't try to act like a version of Serena.

For players like Nishikori and Kyrgios, it may be that winning the 500 level tourneys and collecting the half million dollar paychecks represents the ceiling of what they can do. Saying only grand slams matter is like favoring "post season" over "regular season" in other sports. In the lower ranked tourneys, the three set games are easier for me to take as a fringe fan. Those five set battles in the grand slams that go on hour after hour--no thanks, just can't sit and watch for that long.

zones2surf: "Actually, not necessarily. I watched an excellent 3rd round match that Nishioka won! He was up against Auger-Aliassime and pulled it out."

yes, you watched a match with a Japanese player. That Japanese player is out, and hence my comment that the media will be a whole lot quieter about the tournament now that he and Osaka are gone, if not dead silent.

I think it's too early to criticize Osaka for the coaching move. Some of what a coach brings to a player is immediate (analysis and prep for the upcoming opponent), but a lot of the bigger issues related to technique, attitude, and philosophy take a longer time to implement and see results on. Sure, it's fair to criticize the firing of a coach she was successful for. But I think it's too soon to label the new coach as a dud.

rocketpanda: I'll accept that statement when he wins a grand slam.

Do you honestly think it's a stretch to imagine Kyrgios winning a Slam? I don't. He's a new version of Marat Safin - same undeniable skill and athleticism, same mental inconsistencies, same bad boy image. Safin had the skill to be a top player in his generation, but he didn't have the mindset to put it all together. Nevertheless, between his antics, his on-court tantrums, and so on, he still managed to reach #1 for a few months, and won two Slams. I think a similar trajectory for Kyrgios is very possible.

Well done Bencic!

Remember this name.

11 wins in a row and 5 wins vs. top 5 already in this begining season.

Correction: 5 wins vs. top 10 WTA this season.