Novak Djokovic returned to the Indian Wells Masters after five years away, but never dreamt his campaign would end in the third round. Following his shocking loss, his opponent Luca Nardi’s stats marking the end of the Serbian domination on Tour have gone viral on social media.
The 36-year-old won his first title in the California desert in 2008 just months after winning his first Grand Slam title in Australia. He then won in 2011 and followed it up with three consecutive Indian Wells titles from 2014-16. However, a new stat shows the Serbian has yet to win the BNP Paribas Open since he turned 28.
Also, the Serbian has yet to reach the quarterfinals of Indian Wells since winning it in 2016. He lost 4-6, 4-6 to Nick Kyrgios in the Round of 16 of the 2017 edition. He then lost to the Japanese, Taro Daniel in the second round the following year before losing to Phillip Kohlschreiber 4-6, 4-6 in the third round in 2019. This means the last time Djokovic got to the quarterfinals in Indian Wells was when he was 28.
Djokovic not made the quarterfinals of @BNPPARIBASOPEN since his 20s!
— Pavvy G (@pavyg) March 12, 2024
Those shocked with his early exit and I've even seen some say it's the biggest shock in Tennis, clearly haven't been following Djokovic results there in the last few years.
His game just ain't suited to IW.
Another mouthwatering stat proves that the last eight players to defeat Djokovic in a deciding set were all born in 2001, 2002, or 2003. Meanwhile, Nardi’s victory over the Serbian is historic because, at No. 123 in the ATP rankings, the Italian is the lowest-ranked player ever to defeat Djokovic at a Masters 1000 event.
Last 8 players to defeat Novak Djokovic in a deciding set:
— Relevant Tennis (@RelevantTennis) March 12, 2024
NARDI
Sinner
Sinner
Alcaraz
Rune
Musetti
Rune
Alcaraz
All of them were born in 2001, 2002 or 2003. pic.twitter.com/CVERd4z7N4
Luca Nardi had earlier earned his first Top 50 win of his career after defeating World No. 50 Zhang Zhizhenn in the second round of Indian Wells. He will face Tommy Paul in the round of 16.
Novak Djokovic is convinced that he will win a title despite heading into the middle of the third month without a crown to his name this season. The 36-year-old has always been known to win either in Australia or Dubai or any other tournaments in the past.
Djokovic said after exiting from Indian Wells:
I was starting the season of most of my career with either a Grand Slam or Dubai win or any other tournament. But it's fine, it's part of sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win, some you lose. Hopefully, I will win some more. I'll still keep going. I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great. To break the negative cycle a little bit that I've had in the last three or four tournaments. Novak Djokovic said
"No titles this year, not something I'm used to"
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) March 12, 2024
Unfamiliar territory for the World no. 1 #TennisParadise pic.twitter.com/Pdoq8bomU2
Djokovic has featured in three tournaments this season: United Cup, Australian Open, and Indian Wells, but is yet to reach the finals of any of these tournaments. A shocking stat indeed from the Serb who has always begun the year with a title.
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