In an unforeseen twist during the Indian Wells tournament, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, was bested by Dutch player Botic van de Zandschulp. Djokovic, who was seeking to regain his footing after a premature departure at the Qatar Open, expressed optimism prior to the event. However, the seasoned champion fell short in a match riddled with an overwhelming 37 unforced errors.
Djokovic kicked off the match with a shaky first set, making 14 unforced errors. Nevertheless, he seemed to regain control during the second set, establishing an early 3-0 lead against Van de Zandschulp. As the match progressed, Djokovic exuded confidence, marked by a triumphant fist pump following a powerful forehand winner.
But Van de Zandschulp was not ready to concede. The Dutch player fiercely kept the rallies going, forcing Djokovic into a grueling sixth game that reached deuce five times. Djokovic, seemingly on the verge of securing the set, faltered, missing a vital forehand. This error offered Van de Zandschulp a chance which he seized effectively, although Djokovic still managed to close the set 6-3.
In the third set, Van de Zandschulp showcased his fearless play, securing an early break for 3-1. He left the 24-time Grand Slam champion stunned with a diving winner, followed by Djokovic’s missed easy volley. Van de Zandschulp, sensing a golden opportunity, applied unyielding pressure combining sharp baseline hits with intense net play. A well-executed lob left Djokovic stranded mid-court, scrambling for a response. The Dutch player’s victory was cemented as he cruised through the final five games, marking one of the most significant upsets of his career.
Post-match, Tennis TV shared a post highlighting Djokovic’s two consecutive Indian Wells defeats at the hands of “lucky losers,” Luca Nardi in 2024 and now Botic van de Zandschulp in 2025. Van de Zandschulp humorously added the label “Lucky Loser” to the camera, adding to the sting of Djokovic’s loss.
Despite holding the record for most ATP Masters 1000 titles (40), finals (59), and semi-finals (78), Djokovic was aiming to equal Rafael Nadal’s record of most wins (410). However, the five-time champion of the BNP Paribas Open was unable to prevail, allowing Van de Zandschulp to balance their head-to-head record at 1-1.
Adding to Djokovic’s woes, his last two first-round losses at Indian Wells have been to players outside the top 50 – Taro Daniel in 2018 and now Van de Zandschulp in 2025. Djokovic, who arrived in Indian Wells with the aim of bagging his 100th career singles title, was left to reflect on his shocking loss. “It’s a struggle for me,” he admitted.
Van de Zandschulp’s win marks his 8th career victory over a top 10 opponent and his first back-to-back ATP Tour victories in 2025. Meanwhile, this loss is Djokovic’s third in a row, a feat not witnessed since early 2018.
Once a stronghold for Djokovic, the desert has proven unforgiving recently. Since his return in 2024 after a five-year hiatus, he has a record of 4-5 in his last nine matches at Indian Wells.
Reflecting on this difficult defeat, Djokovic stated, “I’ve been struggling to play on the desired level. Every now and then, I have a couple of good tournaments, but mostly it’s really a challenge. It’s a struggle for me.”
With the new season unfolding, Djokovic had hoped to end his title drought. However, frequent setbacks are testing his resilience. As he heads to the Miami Open, fans and critics alike are left wondering: Can the Serb bounce back?
