LOS ANGELES — Novak Djokovic on Tuesday stated he was excited to be again in Indian Wells to compete on the BNP Paribas Open for the primary time since 2019 after U.S. journey restrictions associated to COVID-19 had stored him away.
The world’s top-ranked participant is looking for an unprecedented sixth title on the Masters 1000 occasion that begins subsequent week and is thought to be the biggest tennis match exterior of the 4 Grand Slams.
“It has been 5 years, method too lengthy to not be a part of the Tennis Paradise match, among the best tournaments on the earth for sure,” Djokovic stated in a video from the small, picturesque metropolis within the Southern California desert.
“It is most likely the favourite Masters match of so many gamers together with myself. I am unable to wait to come back and carry out as soon as once more in entrance of among the greatest tennis followers that we’ve got on the tour.”
He gained the primary of his 24 Grand Slams on the Australian Open in 2008 and backed that up just a few months later by capturing his first Indian Wells crown.
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“The primary time I gained the title in Indian Wells, it was one of many biggest titles of my profession at that time. I bear in mind I performed Mardy Fish within the finals,” Djokovic stated. “I used to be lucky to win the match one other 4 instances and performed some epic matches within the finals towards [Roger] Federer and [Rafael] Nadal and most of the nice gamers in that period. I am actually trying ahead to coming again.”
A 3-time winner at Indian Wells, Nadal is about to compete on the match after lacking final month’s Australian Open resulting from a muscle tear.
The 2020 BNP Paribas Open was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Djokovic missed the subsequent three editions as the US didn’t enable unvaccinated foreigners to enter the nation.
Djokovic was noticed in Los Angeles on Sunday evening watching Lionel Messi and his Main League Soccer crew, Inter Miami CF, tackle the LA Galaxy.
Carlos Alcaraz and Elena Rybakina are the defending champions at this yr’s BNP Paribas Open, which runs from March 3-17.
