Novak Djokovic Stunned by Botic van de Zandschulp in Indian Wells Upset

Djokovic was the clear favorite, but van de Zandschulp, ranked No. 50, played fearless tennis and pulled off a three-set victory. The Dutchman dominated early, pushing Djokovic into long rallies and forcing unusual mistakes from the Serbian star.

Djokovic lost the first set, struggling against van de Zandschulp’s powerful shots and strong serves. He bounced back in the second set, but the Dutch player kept his cool, breaking Djokovic’s serve early in the final set and holding on to secure a career-best win.

After the match, Djokovic admitted the loss was hard to take but praised his opponent. "It’s always tough to lose, especially at a tournament where I’ve done well before. Botic played an amazing match and stuck to his game plan," he said. Despite the defeat, Djokovic is staying positive and focusing on the Miami Open and the clay-court season.

For van de Zandschulp, this is a huge moment in his career. Beating a 24-time Grand Slam champion on such a big stage is a massive confidence boost for the Dutch player. "It’s unbelievable to beat someone like Novak. I just tried to stay focused and play my best tennis," he said.

With Djokovic now preparing for the clay season, history shows he’ll come back stronger than ever. Meanwhile, van de Zandschulp advances, proving he can compete with the best. This win has sent shockwaves through the tennis world, and fans will be watching closely to see what happens next.