Social

Novak Djokovic last played Indian Wells five years ago. A lot has happened since

By Ed McGrogan Feb 28, 2024
Social

'It's all about to click': An optimistic Naomi Osaka signs off from Madrid

By Baseline Staff Apr 27, 2024
Social

'If we're both fit enough, why not?' Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal reaffirm Paris Olympic doubles hopes in Madrid

By Baseline Staff Apr 26, 2024
Social

Mirra Andreeva did, in fact, put Andy Murray's famous complimentary tweet in a frame

By Baseline Staff Apr 26, 2024
Social

Shelby Rogers dishes on the viral social media video that went all the way to Will Smith

By Baseline Staff Apr 26, 2024
Social

It's a girl! Belinda Bencic welcomes her first child, a daughter named Bella

By Baseline Staff Apr 24, 2024
Social

Darwin Blanch, 16, has hilarious reaction to drawing Rafael Nadal at Mutua Madrid Open

By Baseline Staff Apr 22, 2024
Social

Simona Halep says her body 'needs a little more time to be ready' before more tournament play

By Baseline Staff Apr 21, 2024
Social

'Got any tips?': Novak Djokovic jokes with world's newest tennis star, Matthew McConaughey

By Baseline Staff Apr 20, 2024
Social

Carlos Alcaraz, Paula Badosa lead tributes to retiring Garbiñe Muguruza

By Baseline Staff Apr 20, 2024
Social

Novak Djokovic last played Indian Wells five years ago. A lot has happened since

The BNP Paribas Open is one of three North American Masters 1000 tournaments the Serbian will play for the first time since 2019.

ByEd McGrogan

Published Feb 28, 2024

With 24 Grand Slam singles trophies, 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles and seven year-end championships to his name, Novak Djokovic's place in tennis history is more than secure. But incredibly, the question "what might have been" can still be asked.

That's because Djokovic hasn't played Indian Wells—nor the Miami nor Canadian Opens—since 2019. Those three five-year droughts will come to an end this season, with Covid-19 vaccination requirements now lessened in North America.

Advertising

How much more hardware would the superb Serb own had he participated in those nine combined tournaments? (None of the three Masters venues hosted tournaments in 2020.)

The better question might be, which players would own less?

Novak Djokovic career win-loss records at North American Masters 1000s

  • Indian Wells: 50-9 (5-1 in finals)
  • Miami: 44-7 (6-1 in finals)
  • Montreal/Toronto: 37-7 (4-1 in finals)
  • Totals: 131-23 (15-3 in finals)

It should come as little surprise that the scant Djokovic conquerors in finals are fellow future Hall of Famers: Rafael Nadal (Indian Wells, 2007) and Andy Murray (Miami, 2009 and Montreal, 2015).

As for the players who won titles in Indian Wells, Miami and Canada since Djokovic last played each event—well, see if you can guess them. (Answers after the photo.)

Novak Djokovic, greeting former NBA star Vlade Divac, returned to Southern California this week and attended a Los Angeles Galaxy soccer game.

Novak Djokovic, greeting former NBA star Vlade Divac, returned to Southern California this week and attended a Los Angeles Galaxy soccer game.

© 2024 Getty Images

Advertising

North American Masters 1000s men's singles champions since 2021

  • Carlos Alcaraz, twice (2022 Miami, 2023 Indian Wells)
  • Daniil Medvedev, twice (2021 Canada, 2023 Miami)
  • Jannik Sinner (2023 Canada; he was also twice runner-up in Miami)
  • Cameron Norrie (2021 Indian Wells)
  • Taylor Fritz (2022 Indian Wells)
  • Hubert Hurkacz (2021 Miami)
  • Pablo Carreno Busta (2022 Canada)

“It’s been five years, way too long to not be part of Tennis Paradise,” Djokovic said on the BNP Paribas Open's Instagram. But the 36-year-old returns to the west coast tennis mecca, perhaps even better than when Indian Wells fans last saw him. Since the 2019 tournament, Djokovic has won nine Grand Slam titles—37.5 percent of his entire major haul!—and has almost universally been declared the greatest men's tennis player ever.

Those fans are more than ready for his return. The GOAT may have been gone for a few years, but he certainly wasn't forgotten.