Novak Djokovic suffered a shocking exit at the Indian Wells ATP Masters on Saturday, falling in his opening match to lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp. The five-time champion struggled with 37 unforced errors in a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 defeat.
Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, admitted he had no excuses for the loss. “It doesn’t feel great when you play this way,” he said. “But congratulations to my opponent — just a bad day in the office, I guess.”
Van de Zandschulp has made a habit of taking down tennis legends. He previously upset Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open and defeated Rafael Nadal in Davis Cup in what turned out to be Nadal’s last match.
Despite recovering in the second set, Djokovic faltered again in the third, allowing van de Zandschulp to win the final five games. “Had my chances. Just some awful mistakes,” Djokovic admitted.
It was a day of upsets, as seventh seed Andrey Rublev also crashed out, losing 6-4, 7-5 to Italy’s Matteo Arnaldi. With top seed Alexander Zverev and fourth seed Casper Ruud also eliminated, Carlos Alcaraz remains the highest seed in the men’s draw.
The two-time defending champion Alcaraz had no such trouble in his opener, cruising past France’s Quentin Halys 6-4, 6-2. The 20-year-old Spaniard is aiming to become only the third man after Djokovic and Roger Federer to win three straight Indian Wells titles.
Alcaraz admitted to early nerves but found his rhythm quickly. “The first match is never easy, but I was focused,” he said. “Can always be better, but I’m ready for the next round.”
On the women’s side, world number one Aryna Sabalenka made a strong start, defeating McCartney Kessler 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Meanwhile, newly crowned Australian Open champion Madison Keys showed her dominance, dismantling Anastasia Potapova 6-3, 6-0 in her first match since winning in Melbourne.
Americans Taylor Fritz and Coco Gauff, both seeded third, also advanced. Fritz, the 2022 Indian Wells champion, overcame Matteo Gigante 7-5, 6-3. Gauff, however, had a tougher time, battling through 21 double faults before eventually defeating Moyuka Uchijima 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4).
With Djokovic out and several top seeds eliminated, the Indian Wells tournament is shaping up to be wide open, with Alcaraz and Sabalenka now the clear favorites.
