Novak Djokovic has faced surprising early exits at Indian Wells in consecutive years, losing to lucky losers Luca Nardi in 2024 and Botic van de Zandschulp in 2025, raising questions about his current form and adaptability.

There was a time, not so long ago, when Novak Djokovic lost so rarely that it seemed the tennis world wobbled on its axis every time he did, shaking with the shock of it all.

Novak Djokovic, who was ousted in the third round last year, fell 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 to Botic Van De Zandschulp in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday.