Last Monday I wrote that February is one long, slow drift back to the game for the top players, as they recover from their efforts during the Australian swing and prepare for the rigors of the U.S. Masters events in March. This week, the last of the month, that drift will be complete on the men’s side when the last two hold-outs, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer, make their tour returns in Dubai. Nothing so momentous will happen on the women's side. For the WTA, which reached its February pinnacle last week, also in Dubai, this will mostly be a time of rest before everyone gathers again in Indian Wells, and the first signs of tennis’s spring begin.
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Published Feb 24, 2014