Novak Djokovic did not offer any justifications for his subpar display leading to his elimination from the Indian Wells tournament in California. He suffered a 6-2 3-6 6-1 defeat to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round.
Despite retiring from the Australian Open due to a hamstring injury, Djokovic’s movement seemed unaffected during the match on a sunny day at Stadium One court.
Djokovic admitted to reporters that he had no excuses for his performance and acknowledged his opponent’s victory. It was an off day for him, expressing regret over his tennis level despite his recent practice routines. The Serbian player started slowly against the tournament’s lucky loser, who capitalised on Djokovic’s errors to claim the first set. Djokovic managed to win the second set, but van de Zandschulp persisted and dominated the final set in front of a packed audience.
The Indian Wells courts have been resurfaced this year to align them more closely with the playing conditions at the Miami Open and U.S. Open. Djokovic expressed difficulty in anticipating the ball’s bounce, noting a significant contrast between the centre court and other courts. He struggled with the higher bounce on the centre court, even surpassing that of some clay courts. This challenge disrupted his rhythm, prompting him to seek advice from Andy Murray, his former rival turned coach, before determining his next moves. Ahead of his initial match, he confirmed participation in the upcoming Miami Open, aiming to complete the “Sunshine Double.” Despite facing setbacks such as his withdrawal from Australia, a loss in the Qatar Open’s opening match, and a surprising defeat by a Dutch player on Saturday, Djokovic currently faces a three-match losing streak.
“Over the past few years, there have been noticeable changes in my circumstances,” he remarked. “I’ve encountered difficulties in performing at the expected standard. Occasionally, I achieve success in a few tournaments, but generally, it proves to be quite demanding. “This is the reality of the situation. I suppose no amount of preparation can ready you for that specific instance. You must undergo it and strive to manage it as effectively as you can.”
