Novak Djokovic is an Indian Wells legend, having won the tournament a joint-record five times alongside Roger Federer.
Many believe Djokovic could take Federer’s Indian Wells record this year, following his terrific run to the Australian Open final.
Djokovic will play Kamil Majchrzak in his second round match and he’s also been drawn in the same section as Corentin Moutet and Jack Draper.
After Djokovic’s tough Indian Wells draw was confirmed, the Serbian has also just made a decision which might make his campaign even harder.
Novak Djokovic is set to play Indian Wells doubles with Stefanos Tsitsipas
Djokovic has been confirmed in an all-star Indian Wells doubles entry list, and he is set to play alongside Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Tsitsipas and Djokovic will play in a draw that also includes Daniil Medvedev and Learner Tien, Sebastian Korda and Felix Auger-Aliassime, and Arthur Rinderknech and Valentin Vacherot.
Can Carlos Alcaraz win MORE Grand Slams than Novak Djokovic? 🤔
While the idea of Djokovic playing doubles is exciting, it does seem an odd choice for a player who has struggled at the backend of tournaments in recent years.
To win Indian Wells, which I’m sure Djokovic is confident he can do, he will likely need to beat Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
To add more matches to an already hectic schedule seems an unwise choice from the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Additionally, the balls and court are moving slower than in previous years, which means matches and rallies will be longer.
Djokovic could have already cut his chances of winning Indian Wells by agreeing to play more matches in tough California conditions.
Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas face a tough test at Indian Wells
The silver lining for Djokovic’s singles title hopes at Indian Wells is he faces a tough match alongside Tsitsipas in the doubles.
The pair have been drawn against number three seeds, Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavić, both of whom have won Grand Slam titles in doubles.
Novak Djokovic would be the undisputed GOAT if he won Grand Slam number 25 – could anyone argue otherwise?
Arevalo and Pavic won Indian Wells last season, which helped them become the first world number ones to win the tournament since the Bryan Brothers in 2014.
On top of that, the two men went on to win the Miami Open, becoming just the sixth team to win the Sunshine Double.
Djokovic and Tsitsipas could not really have been given a tougher test as they prepare for their doubles debut.
