Novak Djokovic marked his comeback at the BNP Paribas Open with a hard-fought victory over Aleksandar Vukic, prevailing 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in his first match at the tournament in five years.
The 24-time Grand Slam singles champion not only secured his return to the desert but also entered an elite club alongside Rafael Nadal, becoming one of the few players to achieve 400 wins in ATP Masters 1000 series events.
Djokovic, the world’s top-ranked player, boasts five previous titles at Indian Wells, sharing the record with Roger Federer among male players, although his last appearance at the event dates back to 2019.
Reflecting on his return, Djokovic expressed gratitude for reconnecting with the crowd and familiar faces after such an extended absence. He remarked, “Five years is quite a long time for a professional tennis player, but at the same time, playing here the last time in 2019 felt like yesterday.”
Elsewhere in the tournament, Coco Gauff and Aryna Sabalenka also survived nail-biting encounters, clinching victories in third-set tiebreakers. Gauff staged a remarkable comeback against Clara Burel, prevailing 2-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4), while Sabalenka fought off four match points to overcome Peyton Stearns 6-7 (2), 6-2, 7-6 (6).
The day saw its share of upsets, with several seeded players bowing out early. Naomi Osaka continued her impressive run by defeating No. 14 Liudmila Samsonova, setting up a clash with No. 24 Elise Mertens in the next round. Additionally, Victoria Azarenka, a two-time champion at Indian Wells, suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of American Caroline Dolehide.
In the men’s draw, Djokovic managed to avoid an upset by outlasting Vukic in a hard-fought encounter, marking his return to competitive action since his semifinal loss at the Australian Open. The Serbian maestro, with a rich history at Indian Wells, showcased his resilience to claim victory in his opening match.
As the tournament progressed, other notable players like Daniil Medvedev and Gaël Monfils secured wins in their respective matches, advancing to the next round alongside past champions Taylor Fritz and Cam Norrie. However, the day also witnessed some unexpected exits, including Alejandro Davidovich Fokina falling to Arthur Fils in straight sets.
