Novak Djokovic was eliminated from the Masters tournament in Indian Wells on Tuesday night (CET). © APA / CLIVE BRUNSKILL
On Tuesday night (CET), the world number one had to. Novak Djokovic faced Azzurro Luca Nardi (ATP 123) in the 3rd round. The Serb was the big favorite, but the young nobody managed the coup of his life.
March 12, 2024
At around 4:30 a.m. (CET) it was clear: the best tennis player in the world (on paper), Novak Djokovic, was eliminated in the third round of the Masters tournament in Indian Wells (USA). The Serb lost to the young Italian Luca Nardi (ATP 123) in three sets 4:6, 6:2 and 3:6. Particularly strange: The 20-year-old only made it into the main draw of the prestigious tennis tournament as a lucky loser.
“I don’t think anyone knew me before tonight,” Nardi said. “It’s a miracle. I’m a 20-year-old guy who’s ranked somewhere 100 in the world and who has now beaten Novak. Just crazy.” Nardi had previously described Djokovic as his idol and revealed that he had a poster of the Serb hanging in his room as a child. In the round of 16, Nardi will face American Tommy Paul.
Daniil Medvedev has reached the round of 16. © ANSA / RAY ACEVEDO
Djokovic already faltered in his second round match against Vukovic (ATP 69) and even had to give up a set. The final exit came in round three. “He deserves to win. I was rather surprised by my level. My level was really, really bad. He had a great day, I had a really bad day,” Djokovic said after the loss to world number 123.
Medvedev in the round of 16
Unlike Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, fourth in the world rankings, is one round further. The Russian won his third round match against Sebastian Korda (USA) 6:4, 5:7, 6:3. In the round of 16 he will now face Grigor Dimitrov (ATP 13).
Jannik Sinner, on the other hand, will play his round of 16 game on Wednesday night (CET). Opposite him will be Ben Shelton. Sinner has played against the US boy, who is ranked 16th in the world, twice in his career so far. The balance is tied at 1-1.