Tennis Update Today: Novak Djokovic, the world number one, has withdrawn from the ATP Masters 1000 event in Indian Wells. On Wednesday, the tournament revealed the news on social media, notifying fans that the Serb will not be pursuing a sixth championship at the BNP Paribas Open this year.
-We are disappointed that Novak will not be able to join us at the BNP Paribas Open this fall,- said tournament director Tommy Haas. -We hope to see him back in Tennis Paradise next March to contend for a record-setting sixth title in the desert."
Djokovic confirmed the news on Instagram, saying he was disappointed to have to withdraw from the tournament. The Serb went on to say that Indian Wells is his "favourite location to visit" and that he intends to participate there next year.
"I am sorry I won't get to see my fans Indian Wells and play in the desert, my favourite place to go. I hope to see you next year," he wrote.
Djokovic won Indian Wells for the first time in 2008, claiming his third Masters 1000 title, as mentioned in tennis update reports. He then won the tournament a hat-trick of times between 2011 and 2016, completing a hat-trick of victories. He hasn't been able to get past the fourth round since then.
Djokovic's most recent match on tour was a straight-set loss in the final of the 2021 US Open to Daniil Medvedev. The Serb was aiming for a Calendar Slam, but he seemed to be struggling physically and was defeated by the Russian 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
Novak Djokovic is already a finalist in the ATP World Tour Finals.
Novak Djokovic has won three consecutive Grand Slams this year, including the Australian Open, Roland Garros, and Wimbledon. Although he was unable to complete the task in the Tokyo Olympics and the US Open, Serb's season has been nothing short of spectacular.
"Three wins, three Slams and a final. For the last couple of years, I've been very transparent and vocal about my goals, to play my best tennis at slams. I'm managing to do that," Seb had said after the US Open final last month.
Djokovic has already qualified for the Nitto ATP Finals because of his outstanding results this season. Furthermore, in 2021, the Serb can still shatter a few more records.
If he wins the ATP Finals in Turin, he would tie Roger Federer for the most ATP Finals victories with six. In addition, if he finishes the year as the No. 1 player, he will be the only player to do it seven times