Novak Djokovic's hopes at the Indian Wells Masters 1000 came crashing down on Saturday, as the five-time champion was unexpectedly eliminated by lucky loser Botic van de Zandschulp. Meanwhile, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz cruised through to the next round without breaking a sweat, reinforcing his status as the top player left in the tournament.
The action on March 8, 2025, brought disappointment for Djokovic, who entered the tournament with aspirations of competing for the Indian Wells/Miami double for the first time since 2019. The 37-year-old Serbian, who has had a rocky start to the season, fell short against van de Zandschulp, 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, marking his early exit from the prestigious event.
Djokovic's performance was marred by inconsistency, culminating in 37 unforced errors throughout the match. "No excuses for a poor performance," Djokovic stated post-match, expressing his frustration with the quality of his game. After bouncing back to win the second set, he faltered again, unable to maintain the momentum, which led to van de Zandschulp dominating the final set. "It doesn’t feel great when you play this way on the court," he lamented.
While Djokovic's match was filled with errors and frustration, Carlos Alcaraz showed exactly why he is the defending champion. The Spanish star managed to dismiss French player Quentin Halys, ranked 59th, with ease, winning their match 6-4, 6-2. Alcaraz displayed exemplary skills across all areas of the game and secured the victory after breaking Halys' serve early on. "I was nervous at the beginning of the match," Alcaraz confessed post-match, but quickly settled down to deliver a commanding performance.
This victory is significant for Alcaraz as he aims to become only the third man after Djokovic and Roger Federer to win three consecutive Indian Wells titles—a feat he has his eyes on as he prepares for his upcoming match against Canadian Denis Shapovalov, ranked 28th, on March 10, 2025.
On the women’s side, Madison Keys, seeded fifth, also made headlines, delivering another powerful performance by defeating Russian Anastasia Potapova, ranked 34th, with scores of 6-3, 6-0. This marks Keys' 13th consecutive win, as she recently claimed the Australian Open title just two months earlier. "I’m excited to continue playing well," said Keys, who will face Belgian Elise Mertens next.
Meanwhile, American Coco Gauff faced more of a challenge against Japanese player Moyuka Ichijima, narrowly winning 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4). Despite struggling with 21 double faults, Gauff managed to secure the win and advance to the third round.
With Djokovic's early exit, along with the recent eliminations of Alexander Zverev, seeded second, and Casper Ruud, seeded fifth, the men's draw has opened up significantly. The current world number one, Jannik Sinner, is absent due to a three-month doping suspension, leaving Alcaraz as the highest seed left standing.
Djokovic's early exit marks the latest chapter of struggles for him this year. Following a strong quarter-final performance against Alcaraz at the Australian Open, where he succumbed to injury, he faced setbacks at Doha and now Indian Wells. His performance at these tournaments raises questions about his readiness and ability to compete at the highest levels amid rising talent on tour.
The Indian Wells Masters showcases some of the best tennis talents, and this year's tournament is no exception. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Alcaraz can capitalize on the opportunity presented by the absence of many top competitors, or if another surprising outcome awaits.
With the tournament shaping up intriguingly and the potential for more upsets, the focus now shifts to the upcoming matches. Alcaraz's composure will be tested, Djokovic must regroup, and the world will be watching their respective journeys through the tournament as it progresses.