Djokovic Crashes Out of Indian Wells to World No.87
The tennis world watched in disbelief as Novak Djokovic faced his third straight loss. This rare setback marks just the second time since 2008 that the tennis legend has experienced such a losing streak. The 24-time Grand Slam champion couldn’t overcome Botic van de Zandschulp at the BNP Paribas Open, a tournament where he had previously won five titles. His performance showed clear signs of struggle with 37 unforced errors and only 16 winners throughout the match. Djokovic’s quest for his 100th career title has stalled since his Olympic gold at Paris 2024. His modest 7-4 season record now reflects an unexpected dip in his usually dominant form.
Van de Zandschulp Stuns Djokovic in Three-Set Thriller
Van de Zandschulp took control of the match right from the start and built a commanding 5-1 lead in the opening set. The Dutch player’s sharp execution stood in stark contrast to Djokovic’s unusual performance. The Serbian made 14 unforced errors while his opponent had just five in the first set.
The two-hour contest saw Van de Zandschulp show remarkable consistency. He even put together an impressive run of 13 straight points. The world No. 85’s tactical skills shined especially during significant moments in the third set. His masterful backhand lob left Djokovic stuck at the net and secured a vital break point.
In spite of that, Djokovic started a brief comeback in the second set by adjusting his strategy to handle the tough conditions. He tweaked his return game by turning his cap at a 45-degree angle to deal with the sun’s glare. This smart move helped him grab an early break and jump to a 3-0 lead.
The third set belonged to Van de Zandschulp completely. His excellent court coverage and precise shots made all the difference. At 3-1, he chased down a drop shot and hit a perfect backhand cross-court winner, showing amazing agility. The match ended when Djokovic’s 37th unforced error went wide.
This victory became Van de Zandschulp’s eighth career win against a top-10 player. This win meant even more since he entered the tournament as a lucky loser after falling short in qualifying. He stayed composed throughout the match while his opponent visibly struggled with frustration.
Match statistics painted a clear picture. Djokovic hit only 16 winners against his 37 unforced errors. He didn’t deal very well with second serves, winning just 29 percent of those points. The Serbian couldn’t create a single break point chance in both the first and third sets.
Djokovic Reveals Struggles After Third Straight Loss
Novak Djokovic gave a candid explanation about his recent struggles after his unexpected exit at Indian Wells. The Serbian tennis legend admitted that he’s faced some tough challenges to keep up his game in the last couple of years. His training sessions have been intense, but he feels disappointed that he can’t bring that same level to actual matches.
The 37-year-old champion now faces his first three-match losing streak in 6 years, 11 months, and 16 days – exactly 2,542 calendar days since 2018. His rough patch started when he retired from the Australian Open semifinals against Alexander Zverev with a hamstring injury. A first-round exit at the Qatar Open against Matteo Berrettini followed soon after.
Djokovic was honest about his current form. “Things are different obviously for me the last couple of years. I’ve been struggling to play at the desired level. Every now and then, I have a couple of good tournaments, but mostly it’s really a challenge,” he said.
The tennis legend’s problems at Indian Wells seemed more specific. “The difference between the center court and the other courts is immense. The ball is bouncing on the center court higher than some of the highest clay courts. Just struggled a lot with that. Couldn’t find the rhythm,” he explained.
Former Russian tennis coach Dmitry Tursunov shared his point of view on Djokovic’s situation. He believes the champion’s own body has become his “biggest opponent” at this stage. Tursunov added that whatever tricks Djokovic uses to outsmart time, the inevitable “tennis death” will catch up. Players lose their sense of immortality faster in tennis than in other sports.
Djokovic’s future tournament schedule remains unclear. He hasn’t confirmed if he’ll play at the Miami Open yet. “I still haven’t talked with Andy and the team, so going to make a plan,” he mentioned. This time of reflection comes at a vital moment as he works to keep his competitive edge against the sport’s rising stars.
Indian Wells Court Conditions Challenge Former Champion
This year’s court resurfacing at Indian Wells created unexpected challenges for the former champion. The tournament wanted to match conditions with the Miami Open and U.S. Open. Players noticed major differences between courts, which affected how the ball bounced and how they needed to adapt.
Djokovic pointed out the dramatic differences in playing surfaces. “The difference between the center court and the other courts is immense. The ball is bouncing on the center court higher than some of the highest clay courts”. These unusual bounces threw off his rhythm and made it hard for him to play consistently.
The court conditions took a toll on Djokovic’s game statistics. His second serve became a weakness – he won just seven out of 24 points. The tough conditions led to more mistakes, with 37 unforced errors compared to only 16 winners.
Players noticed something odd about these courts right away. Djokovic made 14 unforced errors in the first set and tried to adjust his game in the second. In spite of that, his adjustments weren’t enough as Van de Zandschulp kept up the pressure from both baseline and net.
Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz also voiced their concerns about the court conditions. The tournament’s choice to change the playing surface has started debates about keeping conditions consistent at major tennis venues and how this affects player performance.
The match showed these difficulties most clearly at key moments. Djokovic found chances early in the third set but couldn’t make them count. The court conditions didn’t help either, leading to his loss. “The first three games, four games of the third set were quite close. Had my chances.ย Was just some awful mistakes,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic’s shocking exit at Indian Wells marks a turning point in his remarkable career. His third straight defeat and a modest 7-4 season record point to an unusual period of vulnerability for the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Van de Zandschulp’s brilliant performance showed how rising stars can challenge the sport’s elite players through precise shots and amazing composure.
The tough court conditions and Djokovic’s inconsistent play made the difference in this tournament. His numbers tell the story clearly – 37 unforced errors compared to just 16 winners – revealing a champion who faces both technical and physical hurdles. His open admission about recent struggles shows he understands the challenges ahead.
This defeat at Indian Wells could mean much more than a regular tournament loss. The tennis world now watches this rare moment of doubt in Djokovic’s career and wonders about his future dominance against increasingly tough competition. The next few months will be vital to determine if these losses are just temporary setbacks or signal a bigger change in the tennis world.
