The tennis world has opened a debate after Novak Djokovic's untimely loss in the first Masters 1000 of 2025. The Serbian legend who is still chasing the 100th title of his amazing career hoped to make a good run in Indian Wells after the defeat against Matteo Berrettini in Doha, instead he stopped already in the second round against Botic van de Zandschulp.
The Dutch ace had already proven several times that he was dangerous on this surface having beaten Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 US Open and Rafa Nadal at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals in Malaga but this version of Djokovic was really too bad to be true.
The former world number 1 who has never found the right feeling in California in recent years made 37 unforced errors and seemed a shadow of himself, as has happened too many times in the last year and a half.
Djokovic has only one goal
Fans are wondering about the future of the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who will turn 38 in a short time and who seems to be on his way out.
It is no mystery that Novak's main goal in the last run of his legendary career is to win another Major title, but this level is not enough to write yet another page in tennis history.
Through his official X profile, top analyst Benoit Maylin acknowledged the Serbian champion's current difficulties.
"There is no doubt that Djokovic is struggling a lot right now," he wrote.
"He has just suffered his third defeat in a row and his consistency is increasingly weak.
His aura almost vanished, and he played a truly horrendous match against Botic. However, we know that he has only one goal before retiring from tennis. He wants to win another Grand Slam title.
He is willing to accept these losses in order to reach that goal. He wants to end his career in style, the other tournaments are just a preparation" concluded Maylin.
