Djokovic Still Enjoys The Thrill Of Competition, Chasing Records

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (photo: Jürgen Hasenkopf)

INDIAN WELLS/WASHINGTON, March 7, 2026 (by Michael Dickens)

Five-time BNP Paribas Open champion Novak Djokovic has returned to play in his 17th Indian Wells, aiming to break the tie he shares with Roger Federer for the most titles won in tournament history.

The 38-year-old Serbian great owns ATP Masters 1000 records for most titles (40), finals (60), semifinals (80) and wins (418). Now, he looks to become the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion in series history.

Djokovic made his tournament debut in the California palm desert back in 2006, earned his first title there in 2008 and won his most recent Indian Wells crown in 2016, which completed a string of three-straight title triumphs in the first leg of the Sunshine Double.

 

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Earlier this week, as the World No. 3 Djokovic sat for his pre-tournament news conference at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, he was in a good mood. Indian Wells represents his first tournament since the Australian Open, where he reached the final.

“Nice to be in America again, and Indian Wells, obviously one of the two Sunshine Doubles. I have had a fair amount of success in this tournament, and it has always been one of my favorite tournaments to visit,” Djokovic said. “I think I’m not the only player honestly with the great weather, facilities, just where we are, location, and proximity to LA, one of the best cities to visit, and the history of the event, Tennis Paradise. It’s really a Tennis Paradise here, so rightfully named that way.

“You know, I’m enjoying myself, and hopefully I can have a good tournament.”

Djokovic, who is seeded third, will begin his run at Indian Wells on Saturday afternoon by facing 57th-ranked Kamil Majchrzak of Poland, who advanced to the second round with a 6-3, 1-6, 7-5 victory over No. 54 Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France on Thursday. Djokovic is 51-11 lifetime at Indian Wells. 

As the owner of so many ATP Tour records – and, of course, the owner of the most Grand Slam titles (24) – Djokovic was asked to describe what still pushes his buttons, triggers his emotions and excites him.

“Of course, you know, there are objectives and goals that are always there. You want to win, so you want to get another title and get another slam, hopefully,” Djokovic said. “I was close in Australia. Obviously, that was an amazing start of the year for me, considering that I haven’t been able to reach the finals since the Wimbledon 2024, and, you know, lost to either [Jannik] Sinner or [Carlos] Alcaraz all of the slams last year.

“So, it was just incredible feeling to be able to beat Sinner in five sets in one of the epic matches that I played in recent times in Australia, and then have another great match with Carlos, who was just too good in the end.

“But, you know, for me that has been a phenomenal result. So, you know, I have proven to myself primarily and to others that I can still compete at the highest level and beat these guys.”

Djokovic added: “So, my logic is why not keep going as long as I have that fire and flair and quality and also motivation to do that. Schedule is unclear, as it was in the last kind of couple years. You know, it kind of revolves mostly around slams, but I kind of pick and choose where I want to play, where I feel like it’s not just from a tennis standpoint but also emotionally, you know, brand-wise, or whatever it is, you know, that inspires me to come.

“And I have my reasons, you know, Indian Wells, as I mentioned, has been always a location that I was really happy to come back to in a tournament that I really love playing.

“I haven’t had great results and performances in the last 10 years, but in the first 10 years of my career, this was one of the best tournaments.

“Yeah, that’s all. I mean, I really enjoy the thrill of competition. I enjoy still getting out there in front of the fans and really being competitive. Still No. 3 of the world, so I don’t think it’s too bad, you know, in terms of the ranking and results and performances.

“So still competitive. I still have that edge, and I’ll keep on going as long as I feel like it.”

Djokovic was asked to describe the state of his physical health. “Yeah, I mean, as good as you can feel, but it’s kind of management on a daily basis, really. I think my base that was developed and built in the preseason is very good, as good as it has been in the last maybe three, four years,” he said.

“But obviously season is long, and, you know, you try to adapt as you go along, and there is always something surfacing that you have to address and deal with.

“Thankfully nothing major that, you know, would keep me away from competing in this tournament. In contrary, actually. I feel good. You know, I feel good. As I said, there is always something that you have to deal with and manage, but generally been good.”

News & noteworthy

• With the possibility of 44-year-old Serena Williams mounting a comeback later this year, older sister Venus Williams was asked during her post-match news conference Thursday following her three-set loss to Diane Parry of France whether there’s any chance of her playing doubles together with her younger sister at Wimbledon.

Venus’s reply was simple but direct: “I think you should definitely ask her that,” she said.

Novak Djokovic, for one, would welcome seeing Serena Williams make a return this summer at Wimbledon.

“That would be nice to see, just from my point of view and tennis fans, for sure,” he said.

“Yeah, and she’s one of the greatest athletes, really. It would be great to have her back too.”

• Meanwhile, top seed Aryna Sabalenka earned her 100th win while ranked World No. 1 with her 6-4, 6-2 win over 136th-ranked Japanese qualifier Himeno Sakatsume Friday afternoon on Stadium 1. Afterward, the newly engaged Sabalenka spoke about her engagement ring during her post-match news conference.

Around the Indian Wells Tennis Garden

World No. 2 and second seed Jannik Sinner of Italy needed just 64 minutes to advance to the third round after defeating 109th-ranked qualifier Dalibor Svrcina of Czechia Friday evening on Stadium 1. Sinner dropped just five points on his first serve and saved the only break point he faced. He outpointed Svrcina 60-34.

Meanwhile, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was impressive in her 70-minute 6-4, 6-2 win over 136th-ranked qualifier Himeno Sakatsume of Japan. She won 80 percent of her service points, faced no break points and outpointed her opponent 60-46.

Friday’s Indian Wells results

Saturday’s Indian Wells order of play

By the numbers 

When 45-year-old Venus Williams lost her first-round match to 111th-ranked Diane Parry of France, 6-3, 6-7 (4), 6-1, on Thursday, she became the oldest female player to appear at Indian Wells. She’s also the player with the biggest gap (30 years between 1996 and 2026) between her first and last appearance in Indian Wells, since the tournament’s inception in 1989. She made her tournament debut in 1996 at age 15.

Williams, who has lost her last eight WTA singles matches, received a wild card entry into both the singles and doubles draws. Thursday marked her 10th career appearance in the tournament and the first since 2024, when she also lost in the first round as a wild card. 

“Of course, losing isn’t fun, but it’s great to play in front of a home crowd,” Williams said during her post-match news conference. “They were behind me the whole way, and that was really fun for that.

“I have amazing fans that believe in me and it’s fun to play for them, or even in practice when they come out. It’s very thrilling. Yeah, today was a tough one, but that’s sport and that’s life, and I’ll take what I need from it.”

Williams’ last victory came against Peyton Stearns of the United States in the first round of the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., last July. Since 2020, Williams has compiled a win-loss record of 8-33 (0-5 in 2026).

“Quotable …”

“I am very happy with the performance. Against Matteo, it is very difficult. I lost the past two matches against him. I have struggled in Indian Wells before, but I feel different this year. Hopefully, it is going to be a different result and it was a good start.”

– World No. 4 and fourth seed Alexander Zverev of Germany, during his on-court interview Friday, after defeating No. 66 Matteo Berrettini of Italy, 6-3, 6-4, in back of 19 winners to advance to the third round. Zverev is a seven-time ATP Masters 1000 champion but has never won Indian Wells.

 

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