Can Novak Djokovic defy age and injuries? A former ATP star warns of looming ‘tennis death’ as the Serbian legend battles Father Time at Indian Wells.
It was an unexpected result for Novak Djokovic, as the former World No. 1 fell to Botic van de Zandschulp in his 500th ATP Masters 1000 match.
Following a round 1 elimination in Qatar, Novak Djokovic suffered yet another early exit in an ATP tournament. Djokovic lost to 85th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp on Sunday to crash out if the Indian Wells in the round of 64 phase of the competition.
Novak Djokovic will be hoping to get a positive result in Indian Wells, where he has struggled a lot to play his best tennis in recent years. The former world number 1 had been eliminated by Luca Nardi in the last edition,
During his pre-tournament press conference, the current world No.7 used the opportunity to pay tribute to legendary Australian player Fred Stolle (who died on Thursday at the age of 86): "I would like to send my condolences to his family. It's never good news when a legend of our sport leaves us.