In a surprising turn of events, Novak Djokovic’s highly anticipated return to Indian Wells ended abruptly as 20-year-old Luca Nardi secured a remarkable upset, defeating the world number one 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. Djokovic, who had not participated in the tournament since 2019 due to pandemic-related travel restrictions, faced an unexpected challenge from the 123rd ranked lucky loser.
Despite Djokovic’s hopes of clinching a record sixth title at Indian Wells, Nardi’s spirited performance and aggressive playstyle proved too much for the Serbian tennis legend. Djokovic acknowledged the unexpected outcome, stating, “He really didn’t have anything to lose, so he played great. Deserved to win.”
Expressing disappointment with his own performance, Djokovic admitted, “I was more surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad. These two things come together. He’s having a great day, I’m having a really bad day.”
Nardi, demonstrating agility and precision, capitalized on Djokovic’s uncharacteristic errors and defensive play. The Italian player, ranked 123rd in the world, showcased his skills with powerful serves and forehands, ultimately outplaying the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic remarked on his subpar performance, “I made some really terrible unforced errors. Just quite defensive tennis and not much on the ball in the third, and that’s it. He just stepped in and he used the time that he had. He was playing more free and more aggressive than I did, and going for his shots and that break on 3-2 in the third was enough.”
Acknowledging the unusual circumstances of the defeat, Djokovic remained optimistic about future tournaments, stating that he would likely compete in the Miami Open later this month. The loss at Indian Wells marked a deviation from Djokovic’s usual trajectory at the start of the season.
“No titles this year, that’s not something I’m used to,” Djokovic admitted. “I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great, obviously to break the kind of negative cycle a little bit I’m having in the last three, four tournaments where I haven’t really been close to my best.”
As the tennis world absorbs the shock of Djokovic’s early exit, fans and analysts eagerly await his next appearance on the court, wondering if the Serbian star can regain his winning form in the upcoming tournaments.
