“No titles this year. That’s not something I’m used to” – Djokovic hopes to get back in winner’s circle after Indian Wells defeat
Only the third time since 2007 that the Serb has not won an ATP singles title by the time Indian Wells has come to an end
Novak Djokovic at Indian Wells 2024
Image Credit: Antoine Couvercelle / Panoramic
Ever since winning his first ATP singles title in 2006, there have been only two seasons in which Novak Djokovic has not won an ATP singles title by the time the Indian Wells Masters has come to a conclusion. 2018 was the first when he opened his trophy count at Wimbledon and 2022 – the year he was not allowed to return to Australia, was the second where he picked up his first title of the season in Rime.
2024 will mark the third such year in the Serb’s career graph after the world No 1 was knocked out in three sets in the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open on Monday evening by world No 123 Luca Nardi, of Italy. And the 24-time Grand Slam champion is hoping to break the cycle and return to the winner’s circle soon.
“Yeah, no titles this year. That’s not something I’m used to. I was starting the season most of my career with a Grand Slam win or, you know, Dubai win, or any or tournament. It’s fine. You know, it’s part of the sport. You just have to accept it. Some you win; some you lose. Hopefully I’ll win some more and still keep going,” Djokovic told the media after his loss. “I guess every trophy that eventually comes my way is going to be great (smiling), 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.”
He’s having a great day; I’m having a really bad day. Results as a negative outcome for me.
The Serb, who ended the 2023 season with the ATP Finals trophy, put down the defeat to a combination of some great play by his opponent and a poor performance from himself.
“I could have done everything different. I mean, as I said, very poor performance from my side. Congrats to him for particularly in the third set playing some great, great tennis. He got in as a Lucky Loser to main draw, so he really didn’t have anything to lose, so he played great. Deserved to win. I was more surprised with my level. My level was really, really bad. That’s it, you know. These two things come together. He’s having a great day; I’m having a really bad day. Results as a negative outcome for me.”
Despite the loss, Djokovic made no excuses for his loss and credited his 20-year-old opponent for pulling off the biggest win of his career.
“I made some really terrible unforced errors. Just quite defensive tennis, and not much on the ball in the third, and that’s it. You know, 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,” the Serb said. “Just a bit of windy conditions today. Completely contrary to what I was having in my training sessions these days, and the first match, but still, it’s not an excuse. I should have done much better. But again, credit to him for pulling it off.”
Djokovic will now aim to return to the winner’s circle in Miami, where he is a six-time champion and which he is also playing for the first time since 2019.
