Tomas Machac Withdraws from Indian Wells Due to Knee Injury

The Czech player's absence raises concerns about his fitness ahead of future tournaments.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 8:49pm

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Tomas Machac, currently ranked 32nd globally, has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament starting on March 4 due to a lingering knee injury. This adds him to the growing list of notable players absent from the event, which includes Holger Rune and Jaume Munar. The decision to withdraw reflects a cautious approach focused on recovery, with hopes that Machac will regain full health in time to participate in the Miami Masters 1000 later this month.

Why it matters

Machac's withdrawal from Indian Wells is a significant loss for the tournament given his strong start to the season, which included winning the ATP 250 title in Adelaide and reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open. His recent performance challenges and ongoing knee problems raise concerns about his fitness and ability to sustain his career progression.

The details

The 25-year-old player from Beroun began 2026 on a high note by clinching the ATP 250 title in Adelaide with a victory over Ugo Humbert. He then continued his impressive run at the Australian Open by defeating established stars such as Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas. However, Machac has encountered difficulties with three straight losses on the ATP Tour, most recently falling to Jannik Sinner in Doha's ATP 500 first round. His troubles at Indian Wells are not new; he was forced to retire during his opening match last year against Yosuke Watanuki. This year, ongoing knee problems are preventing him from even competing.

  • Machac's knee issues emerged toward the end of 2025 and have persisted into the new season.
  • Machac has officially withdrawn from the upcoming Indian Wells Masters 1000 tournament starting on March 4.
  • There is hope that Machac will regain full health in time to participate in the Miami Masters 1000 later this month.

The players

Tomas Machac

A 25-year-old Czech tennis player currently ranked 32nd globally.

Holger Rune

A notable player who is also absent from the Indian Wells tournament.

Jaume Munar

A notable player who is also absent from the Indian Wells tournament.

Ugo Humbert

A player Machac defeated to win the ATP 250 title in Adelaide.

Grigor Dimitrov

An established star player that Machac defeated at the Australian Open.

Stefanos Tsitsipas

An established star player that Machac defeated at the Australian Open.

Jannik Sinner

A player who defeated Machac in the first round of the Doha ATP 500 event.

Yosuke Watanuki

A player Machac was forced to retire against in his opening match at Indian Wells last year.

Filip Misolic

A player ranked 86th who has also withdrawn from Indian Wells.

Adam Walton

A player who has entered the Indian Wells main draw directly due to the withdrawals.

Emilio Nava

A player who has entered the Indian Wells main draw directly due to the withdrawals.

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What’s next

There is hope that Machac will regain full health in time to participate in the Miami Masters 1000 later this month, but his current condition casts uncertainty over his immediate return.

The takeaway

Machac's withdrawal from Indian Wells highlights the challenges professional tennis players face in maintaining their fitness and performance throughout the season. His early-season success followed by recent struggles underscores the importance of managing injuries and prioritizing recovery to sustain a successful career.