Novak Djokovic’s recent defeat at Indian Wells to Botic van de Zandschulp marked a surprising turn of events for the 24-time Grand Slam champion. The Dutchman, a lucky loser in the tournament, managed to outplay Djokovic in a three-set battle, securing a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory. This loss extended Djokovic’s challenging streak, as he faced his third consecutive defeat, a rare occurrence in his illustrious career.
Djokovic’s performance was marred by unforced errors and an inability to adapt to the conditions on the court. He acknowledged the challenges posed by the playing surface, noting that the center court’s bounce was significantly higher than other courts, likening it to some of the highest-bouncing clay courts. This disparity seemed to disrupt his rhythm, making it difficult for him to find his footing during the match.
This is what he said: “You know, I regret for the level of tennis, considering how I practice these days. To be honest, the difference between the center court and the other courts is immense. Ball is bouncing on the center courts higher than some of the highest clay courts, to be honest. Yeah, just struggled a lot with that. rhythm.”
Despite a spirited comeback in the second set, Djokovic struggled to maintain consistency in the decider. Van de Zandschulp capitalized on the Serbian’s lapses, showcasing resilience and composure to close out the match. Djokovic, ever the sportsman, made no excuses for his performance, attributing the loss to an off day and commending his opponent’s efforts.
This defeat serves as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of tennis, where even the greatest players can face unexpected challenges. Djokovic’s focus now shifts to regrouping and preparing for upcoming tournaments, as he continues to navigate the evolving dynamics of his career.
Van De Zandschulp in Indian Wells, ranking, and results in 2025
LWWLWLWLWW At the moment ranked no.85, the Dutch owns a compiled 7-8 win-loss record in 2025. Van De Zandschulp is now competing in Indian Wells where he managed to beat the world no.147 Lukas Klein 5-7 6-3 6-3, the world no.217 Matteo Gigante 7-5 6-0, Nick Kyrgios 7-6(7) 3-0 ret. and the world no.7 Novak Djokovic 6-2 3-6 6-1.
Botic Van De Zandschulp will face the world no.26 Francisco Cerundolo in the 3rd round. In the past, they have never competed against each other until now on the main tour.
Van De Zandschulp is scheduled to play next in Cap Cana Challenger (Cap Cana Challenger). He will start to play the tournament from the main draw that will commence on the 1st of January.
