There was a time, not so long ago, when Novak Djokovic lost so rarely that it seemed the tennis world wobbled on its axis every time he did, shaking with the shock of it all.

Novak Djokovic, who was ousted in the third round last year, fell 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 to Botic Van De Zandschulp in the second round of the BNP Paribas Open on Saturday.

Surprising losses have become almost a habit for Novak Djokovic over the past year and a half. The Serbian legend – who injured his left thigh during the 2025 Australian Open – looked set to achieve a prestigious result at the 'BNP Paribas Open' in Indian Wells,