Even Djokovic Can’t Defy Time

With 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic holds an unprecedented record in the Open Era (since 1968). He is one of the rare athletes who have mastered every aspect of the game, unlike players who rely solely on an aggressive playing style with little focus on sports science. Djokovic, on the other hand, has built his career on a scientific approach—blending technique, physical endurance, and tactical intelligence with remarkable precision.

His pinpoint accuracy in every shot has become his signature, while his incredible ability to recover from injuries has allowed him to extend his career well beyond most of his contemporaries, many of whom have already retired from top-level tennis.

However, even the greatest cannot escape the "law of time". At 37, Djokovic’s ability to compete at an elite level is already extraordinary. But against Van De Zandschulp in Indian Wells, time seemed to have finally caught up with him. The loss marked the first time since 2017 that Djokovic has suffered three consecutive defeats.

Heading into the first Masters 1000 tournament of the season, Djokovic was already on a two-match losing streak—he was forced to retire due to injury against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open and then lost to Matteo Berrettini in Doha.

At Indian Wells, his opening-round opponent was Botic Van De Zandschulp, a player known for pulling off major upsets. Van De Zandschulp had previously defeated Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open and played a key role in the doubles match that ended Rafael Nadal’s career in the Davis Cup. These feats have earned him the nickname "The Giant Slayer." And at Indian Wells 2025, he added another legendary name to his list—Novak Djokovic.

From the very first game, Van De Zandschulp showed no fear against Djokovic. The Dutchman completely dominated their rematch, despite losing to Nole in their previous encounter. Djokovic, on the other hand, struggled to find his rhythm, a problem that became evident when he lost 13 consecutive points against the World No. 85. After Djokovic won his first game, Van De Zandschulp went on a 21-3 run, leaving the Serbian star helpless. The first set ended 6-2 in favor of Van De Zandschulp.

In the second set, Djokovic’s champion mentality came through. The five-time Indian Wells champion fought back to win 6-3, despite losing a two-break lead late in the set and facing a potential comeback from his opponent.

With the match now level, many expected Djokovic to regain control and push through to the next round. However, the final set told a different story. Djokovic’s level dropped significantly, while Van De Zandschulp grew in confidence and capitalized on every opportunity. The Dutchman converted two of his three breakpoints, sealing a dominant 6-1 victory in the decider.
In the end, Djokovic fell to Van De Zandschulp in his Indian Wells opener, losing 1-2 and crashing out of the tournament earlier than expected.

With the Miami Open approaching, Djokovic will need to make major adjustments if he hopes to return to form. However, how he can turn things around remains a big question mark—as the burden of age continues to weigh more heavily on his legendary career.