24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic is all set to return to the ATP Tour at the Indian Wells Masters this week following an extended absence since his finals run at the Australian Open.
The former World No. 1, who is a five-time champion at Indian Wells, will make his seventeenth appearance at the tournament after suffering a first-match exit there last season.
Djokovic Prepares for Indian Wells Return
An Unusual Start to the Season
Djokovic has endured one of the more disrupted starts to a season in recent years. The campaign began with the Serbian withdrawing from the Adelaide International prior to the tournament. Djokovic had previously competed and won in Adelaide and was scheduled to begin his 2026 season there once again.
As a result, the Australian Open became his first tournament of the year. While Djokovic showed encouraging form in the opening rounds in Melbourne, he found himself two sets down in the quarterfinals against an inspired Lorenzo Musetti. However, the Italian suffered a muscle injury and was forced to retire mid-match, handing Djokovic an unexpected lifeline.
Capitalizing fully on the opportunity, Djokovic produced one of the most memorable victories of his career in the semifinals, defeating Jannik Sinner in a high-quality encounter. He followed that performance with a four-set defeat in the final against Carlos Alcaraz, a match by whose conclusion Djokovic appeared physically exhausted.
That physical toll likely contributed to his decision to withdraw from the Qatar Open, where he had initially been scheduled to compete following the Australian Open. Now, after more than a month away from competition, Djokovic returns to action at one of the most successful tournaments of his career.
UCLA Visit
Before arriving at Indian Wells, Djokovic was spotted at the University of California, Los Angeles training facilities, where he spent time motivating young athletes.
In a video shared by UCLA Football, Djokovic addressed the university’s football team, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and collective spirit.
“As an individual athlete, it’s one of the things that I’m, you know, really missing is, is that team spirit. Is what you guys are building and what you guys are nurturing here on an everyday basis. Seeing you guys, how much you enjoy supporting each other, lifting each other up and bringing that spirit up, it’s only going to serve you as a team, you individually and the whole community, and of course, the college… so it’s right now, this is the time because 10% of life happens to us and 90% of life is how we react to what happens to us. I wish you guys all the best of luck.”
With preparations complete, Djokovic will now shift his full focus to the first ATP Masters 1000 event of the season.
Indian Wells presents a significant opportunity for ranking points, but it may also set up blockbuster encounters with rivals Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner should the Serbian make a deep run — something he has struggled to achieve at the tournament in recent years despite his historic success there.
Main Photo Credit: Mike Frey – Imagn Images