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The 24-time Grand Slam champion has revealed his preferred big title on the tennis calendar outside the Majors.
Novak Djokovic has openly declared his admiration for the Indian Wells Open, naming it his favourite of the prestigious Masters tournaments. The Serbian player, known for his exceptional record and being the only person to win a Career Golden Masters not once but twice, has a soft spot in his heart for the tournament known as Tennis Paradise.
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A storied legacy at the Masters
Djokovic's ATP Tour achievements are nothing short of legendary, and with 40 Masters 1000 titles, he is the most successful player in the competition’s history.
Having won all nine ATP Masters events: Indian Wells, Miami, Monte-Carlo, Madrid, Rome, Canada, Cincinnati, Shanghai, and Paris, the 24-Slam winner’s record demonstrates his adaptability and superiority on all surfaces, making the 36-year-old a formidable opponent and respected figure in the tennis world.
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The charm of Indian Wells
Djokovic professed his fondness for Indian Wells, a tournament he has not competed in since 2019. "The last time I played in Indian Wells was 2019, it has been five years, way too long to not be part of the Tennis Paradise tournament, one of the best tournaments in the world without a doubt,” said the Serbian superstar.
“It’s probably the favourite Masters tournament of so many players including myself. I can’t wait to come and perform once again in front of some of the best tennis fans that we have out there on the tour.”
His excitement to play in front of Indian Wells’ devoted tennis fans demonstrates his affection for the game and its environment.
Memorable moments in Tennis Paradise
Djokovic’s time at Indian Wells has been marked by outstanding performances and memorable clashes since his first victory in 2008 — defeating Mardy Fish in a match considered one of the highlights of his early career.
Following that, he defeated Rafael Nadal in 2011 and claimed three consecutive titles between 2014 and 2016, including epic finals against Roger Federer and a more straightforward affair to defeat Milos Raonic.
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“I go back to 2008, the first time I won the title in Indian Wells, it was one of the greatest titles of my career at that point. I remember I played Mardy Fish in the finals,” said the 36-year-old.
“I was fortunate to win the tournament another four times and played some epic matches in the finals of Indian Wells tournaments against [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal and many of the great players in that era. I’m really looking forward to coming back.”
Many fans and the event itself felt the impact of Djokovic's absence from Indian Wells in recent years since he chose not to compete in the 2021 edition owing to vaccination requirements in the United States. Djokovic will be keen to add to make it six Indian Wells titles on his return to the California-held tournament, thus moving clear of Federer on five.
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