Luca Nardi's feat at the ATP 1000 tournament in Indian Wells. The Italian, number 123 in the world, beat the number 1 in the ranking, the Serbian Novak Djokovic, in three sets with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. «I'm speechless. I have Novak's photo in my room”… and Luca Nardi didn't expect to beat him on the Indian Wells evening. Just being on the court was something special: «Djokovic is my legend. Until tonight no one knew me. Sinner? He pushed me a lot in training, I didn't expect to win.”
Nole's reaction
Novak Djokovic has promised to play the next Miami Open after having suffered a “really bad day” for his exit at the ATP-WTA Masters in Indian Wells. The Serbian's long-awaited return to Indian Wells after a five-year absence ended in a shock third-round defeat to Italian Luca Nardi, world number 123. Djokovic said that despite the setback, he still intends to play in Miami.
“Miami is there, so let's see,” he said of the next Masters. «I didn't like not playing the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami) the last two years. I really wanted to play. I really wanted to come (this year) and I really like being in both Indian Wells and Miami,” Djokovic added after the 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 defeat.
Five-time Indian Wells winner Djokovic was playing his first event since losing to another young Italian, Jannik Sinner, in the semifinals of the Australian Open more than six weeks ago. “Luca entered as a lucky loser in the main draw, so he had nothing to lose and played great,” said the 24-time Grand Slam champion speaking of Nardi. «He deserved to win. I was more surprised by my level. My level was really, really bad.”
«Behold, these two things come together. He had a great day, I had a terrible day. The results (are) negative for me.”
Djokovic, who at age 36 is looking to consolidate his tournament schedule, said he will continue in Miami starting next week. «I play fewer tournaments, so I'm more selective with my schedule. Of course it's not a good feeling when you leave a tournament very early, especially here. I hadn't played here for five years. I really wanted to do well. But it wasn't meant to be. We move forward.”