Novak Djokovic faces a challenging Indian Wells draw, potentially meeting Nick Kyrgios in the second round after the bracket was set early Tuesday. The Serb, who gets a first-round bye, could also clash with defending champ Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals.
Kyrgios, wielding a protected ranking, holds a 2-1 edge over Djokovic, his lone loss coming in the 2022 Wimbledon final. Their once-tense rapport has warmed, especially after Kyrgios backed Djokovic during his 2021 Australian Open visa saga, decrying the Serb’s treatment over his vaccination stance.
Should Djokovic advance, he’ll face Francisco Cerundolo or Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the third round, with Alex de Minaur a possible fourth-round foe. A quarter-final showdown with Alcaraz looms large—fresh off Djokovic’s Australian Open win over him— as the Spaniard chases a rare Indian Wells three-peat after triumphs in 2023 and 2024.
Casper Ruud could await in the semis, while top seed Alexander Zverev is a potential final hurdle. Djokovic, a five-time winner here (tied with Roger Federer), hasn’t claimed the title since 2016 and hopes to overcome recent injuries.
Andy Murray, who joined his coaching team at the Australian Open, remains on board for Indian Wells and Miami. “We talked the day after Melbourne,” Djokovic said. “We reviewed our time together, and he took a moment to consult his family. I wanted to keep going, and I’m thrilled he agreed. It’s open-ended, likely through the U.S. and clay season—we’ll see where it takes us.”
