Novak Djokovic makes ‘worried’ confession as he closes in on another Rafael Nadal record
Novak Djokovic won his first match at the Indian Wells Open in five years as he defeated Aleksandar Vukic to edge closer to Rafael Nadal’s record for most ATP Masters 1000 wins, but he conceded he was “a bit worried” at one point.
After missing the last couple of editions of the California event for failing to meet Covid-19 vaccination requirements, Djokovic made his long-awaited return to the desert on Saturday.
And he was tested by Vukic as the world No 69 took the second set before the 24-time Grand Slam winner wrapped up the match in three, winning 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 in over two hours.
The victory took Djokovic to 400 ATP Masters 1000 wins and he is now just six behind Nadal’s record of 406, which he could break at the Miami Open.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner admitted that there were some nerves during his post-match press conference, but he was also happy that he had a good workout so early in the tournament.
“Obviously I was a bit, you know, nervous at the beginning, you know, whether I’m going to start off well. Haven’t played a match in more than five weeks. I thought the start was good. Obviously 6-2. Then, you know, I think he upped his game,” he said.
“I probably, yeah, lost a little bit of the momentum. We got into the third set, I thought the level of the tennis was pretty good in the third. Great points. He made me, you know, produce some really important points in games in order to prevail in this match.
“You know, I’m glad that I was pushed, as well, which is important. It’s always great. You know, looking forward to the next one.”
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Djokovic, a five-time champion in Indian Wells, will face Luca Nardi in the third round while he could take on either 14th seed Ugo Humbert or 17th seed Tommy Paul in the quarter-final.
But there is no doubt that Vukic gave him a few anxious moments.
He added: “At one point I was, you know, a bit worried because I lost a set, and then in beginning of third it was kind of going toe to toe.
“But I thought, you know, the chances will come as I stay in the match and try to raise the level of tennis.
“I have to, you know, give him credit because he stepped it up. He served well, ripping forehands towards the end of the second, beginning of the third, and was just deservedly still in the match.
“Could I have done some things better? Yeah, of course I could. But, you know, hopefully the rust is a bit, you know, off or at least a bit less rust that I’m feeling for the next match, and the continuation of this tournament.”
