Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old tennis sensation, is experiencing a streak of bad luck, having gone 46 days without a win. His last victory dates back to the quarterfinals of the Australian Open, where he defeated Carlos Alcaraz. Since then, Djokovic has suffered three consecutive losses, a situation that hasn’t occurred in 2,542 days. This slump is a far cry from his usual dominance on the court.
On Saturday, Djokovic’s woes continued as he fell to Botic van de Zandschulp in the debut match of the Indian Wells Masters 1000, with a score of 6-2, 3-6, and 6-1. Van de Zandschulp, the same player who ended Rafael Nadal’s career, has now sent the last remaining member of the ‘Big Three’ packing. As Djokovic himself admitted, “The last two years have been tough for me to reach the level I desire.” This comment highlights the struggles he’s been facing, and it’s clear that he’s still searching for his rhythm.
What’s more, Van de Zandschulp is the second ‘lucky loser’ to consecutively defeat Djokovic on the Tennis Garden courts. In 2024, Djokovic fell to Luca Nardi, another player who came from the qualifying rounds. This trend is starting to raise eyebrows, and fans are beginning to wonder if Djokovic is still the force to be reckoned with that he once was.
As the seventh-ranked player in the world, Djokovic is in danger of falling out of the top 10. With only 50 points separating him from his previous performance, and Tommy Paul, the eleventh-ranked player, closing in on him with just 570 points, the pressure is mounting. Djokovic’s injury woes, including a thigh muscle tear that forced him to abandon his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open, seem to be lingering. The question on everyone’s mind is: can he regain his footing and return to his winning ways?
The latest defeat also means that Djokovic failed to match the 410 wins achieved by Nadal in the Masters 1000 tournaments. This development leaves the lower part of the draw, where Carlos Alcaraz is competing, a bit more clear of obstacles. In a post-match interview, Djokovic noted, “There’s a huge difference between the main court and the outer courts. The ball bounces higher than on a clay surface.” This comment suggests that he’s still adapting to the conditions and searching for his groove.
The Elusive 100th Title
With 99 tournament wins under his belt, Djokovic is still chasing his 100th title. Out of his 40 Masters 1000 crowns, five have come from Indian Wells, with the last one dating back to 2016. Djokovic is on the cusp of joining an elite group of players, including Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, who have achieved this milestone in the Open Era. His next opportunity to reach this milestone will be at the Miami Open, where he’ll look to break his drought and claim his 100th title. Will he be able to overcome his current struggles and join the ranks of the all-time greats? Only time will tell.
