Novak Djokovic, number one in the ATP ranking, suffered one of the worst defeats of his magnificent career after being eliminated in the third round of Indian Wells after being beaten by the Italian Luca Nardi with sets of 6-4, 3-6 and 6-3, in what was a true feat for the tennis player who occupies the number 123 in the world.
The Serbian, winner of 24 Grand Slams, was surprised by the result at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in California, where the Italian made a splash after having entered the third round of the competition as a ‘lucky loser’, who Despite having lost in the qualifying round, he is still in the race due to the absence of another winner, in this case the Argentine Tomás Etcheverry.
“I was surprised with my level, it was very bad, I had terrible unforced errors. That’s how it is, the two things came together. “He had a good day and I had a bad day and that was the bad result for me.”acknowledged Novak Djokovic, who has been champion in Indian Wells five times, the most recent in 2016.
This triumph for Luca Nardi, just 20 years old, is only the fourth time in the career of Novak Djokovic who gives in to a player who is not within the top 100. The first was against the South African Kevin Anderson (122) in Miami 2008, then against the Argentine Juan Martín del Potro (141) at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and the most recent It had been against the Czech Jiri Vesely (123) in Dubai 2022.
“It’s not something I’m used to. Most of my career started with a victory in a Grand Slam or another tournament. It’s okay, it’s part of the sport and you have to accept it.”added the Serbian who assured that after turning the page on this setback he is looking at his next challenge: “At the moment Miami is still on my calendar, we will see. “I need a day or two of rest.”
For his part, the Italian Luca Nardi could not hide the emotion that came with having achieved an important victory against the Serbian. The player who had lost in the qualifying round against the Belgian David Goffin, showed his admiration for the rival with whom he hit the table in the world of tennis.
“It is a miracle. I’m a 20-year-old boy, number 100 in the world and I just beat Novak. Before this, no one knew me, nor do I know how I kept calm,” commented the Italian, who added: “I still have a poster of him in my room. Every night I go to bed I see Novak. Djokovic is the best player in history. “I will cherish this moment for the rest of my life.”.
Now, Luca Nardi will be facing off in the round of 16 against American Tommy Paul, number 17 in the ATP ranking, who has just beaten Frenchman Ugo Humbert by a double 6-4. It will be a good opportunity for the Italian to show that the victory against Novak Djokovic was not just a stroke of luck.
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