Novak Djokovic has lost three matches in a row for the first time in seven years, with the 24-time grand slam champion crashing out of Indian Wells with a three-set loss to lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp.
The 37-year old has endured a challenging start to 2025, sensationally retiring after losing the first set of his Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev due to a hamstring injury, then losing his first match at the Qatar Open to Matteo Berrettini.
His performance in the California desert, at one of world tennis’ most prestigious tournaments outside the four grand slams, was his most concerning yet, hitting 37 unforced errors to lose 2-6, 6-3, 1-6 to the unheralded Dutchman.
Adding to the humiliation for Djokovic, van de Zandschulp was only in the main draw of the tournament as a lucky loser, having lost in qualifying before his first-round match against Nick Kyrgios saw the Australian retire with a wrist injury.
It marks the first time since 2018 Djokovic has lost three matches in a row, and having fallen to seventh on the ATP Rankings, looks set to fall even further, though his points loss from the shock exit will be minimal having lost in the third round of the 2024 Indian Wells tournament – also to a lucky loser in Luca Nardi.
Tennis commentator Jose Morgado described Djokovic’s performance as ‘soooo bad’ and ‘tough to watch’.
Djokovic expressed ‘regret’ for his poor performance, laying some of the blame on the difference in court conditions on centre court compared to the rest of the precinct.
“To be honest, the difference between the center court and the other courts is immense,” he said.
“Ball is bouncing on the center courts higher than some of the highest clay courts.”
Djokovic secured a long-coveted Olympic gold medal in 2024, but it was the only tournament he won in an otherwise challenging season that saw him fail to claim a grand slam title for just the second year since 2010.
Ranked No.1 in the world at the start of the year he dropped to seventh by the end of 2024.
Should either Stefanos Tsitsipas or Australian Alex de Minaur, currently eighth and ninth in the rankings, reach the Indian Wells final, they will leapfrog the veteran.
De Minaur’s chances are further boosted by Djokovic’s loss, given he was set to play the Serbian great in the fourth round should both have made it through.
Meanwhile, van de Zandschulp, who has now defeated Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz in an impressive last six months, will take on 25th seed Francisco Cerundolo in the third round as he aims to equal his best-ever run at a Masters 1000 tournament.
