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‘We are disappointed’ – Novak Djokovic opts to skip Indian Wells


World number one Novak Djokovic has confirmed he has opted to withdraw from Indian Wells next month.

Djokovic has had a stunning season, winning the Australian Open, the French Open, and Wimbledon to draw level with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on 20 career majors.

He also came to within a whisker of completing the first calendar Grand Slam in the men’s game for more than half a century, but he lost the US Open final to Daniil Medvedev.

Djokovic’s withdrawal from the tournament means it will be the first Indian Wells played without all of the big three – Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic – since 2000.

It also guarantees a first time winner this year, with Dominic Thiem and Juan Martin del Potro also missing through injury.

“I am sorry I wont get to see my fans in Indian Wells and play in the desert, my favourite place to go,” Novak Djokovic tweeted. “I hope to see you next year!”

Tournament Director Tommy Haas added: “We are disappointed that Novak will not be able to join us at the BNP Paribas Open this fall.

“We hope to see him back in Tennis Paradise next March to contend for a record-setting sixth title in the desert.”


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Michael Graham, Tennishead.net Editor, has been a professional sports journalist for his whole career and is especially passionate about tennis. He's been the Editor of Tennishead.net for over 5 years and loves watching live tennis by visiting as many tournaments as possible. Michael specialises in writing in-depth features about the ATP & WTA tours.