Novak Djokovic, the illustrious Serbian tennis titan, is eyeing his sixth triumph at the Indian Wells Masters 1000. His journey at the esteemed tournament has been punctuated by some incredible wins and a few unexpected losses. One such shocking defeat unfolded last year when young Italian prodigy, Luca Nardi, ousted him in what is considered one of Djokovic’s poorest performances.
This defeat marked the end of his association with his then-coach Goran Ivanisevic. The fallout was inevitable as the partnership was already strained following Djokovic’s crushing defeat by Jannik Sinner in the 2024 Australian Open semi-finals.
Djokovic, the former world number one, is still in pursuit of his 100th title. His 2025 season debut at the Brisbane International didn’t go as planned with a defeat at the hands of Reilly Opelka. However, he bounced back and clinched a semi-final berth at the Australian Open. His victory over Carlos Alcaraz in a nail-biting clash was a highlight of the tournament.
Sadly, the Serbian legend’s run was cut short due to a left thigh injury during his match against Alexander Zverev, forcing him to retire. Although initial prognosis suggested a layoff of at least two months, the resilient 37-year-old returned to the court in Doha just weeks later. His comeback, however, was marred by an early exit in the first round against a formidable Matteo Berrettini.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner is now setting his sights on the Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. This time, he’ll have the tactical prowess of Andy Murray by his side.
ATP stalwart Jay Clarke recently weighed in on the Djokovic-Murray alliance in a conversation with Sportskeeda. He pointed out that Djokovic, now in his late thirties, might not be as physically robust as he was half a decade ago. Similarly, Murray spent the final years of his career playing with a metal hip, which may have impacted his fitness. Yet, both players have an uncanny knack for carving out victories.
Clarke lauded Murray’s strategic acumen as an invaluable addition to Djokovic’s game. He further credited Djokovic for his willingness to learn and adapt, highlighting his openness to heed advice from a seasoned player like Murray.