Novak Djokovic enjoyed an incredible start to his 2026 season on the ATP Tour.
In his first and only tournament appearance of the year so far, Djokovic reached the final of the Australian Open in remarkable fashion.
The Serb defeated and dethroned 2025 champion Jannik Sinner in the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park, denying the Italian a three-peat.
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Djokovic was ultimately beaten by Carlos Alcaraz in the championship match, with the Spaniard becoming the youngest player ever to complete the Career Grand Slam.
Having opted out of the Middle East swing entirely, the 38-year-old’s next appearance on the tour will come at Indian Wells, where he has the chance to surpass Roger Federer‘s all-time records.
Novak Djokovic’s chance to overtake Roger Federer in Indian Wells
All three of Djokovic, Sinner and Alcaraz will feature at the Indian Wells Open in March, which is the first ATP Masters 1000 tournament of the season.
Alcaraz is seeking a third crown in ‘Tennis Paradise’, while Sinner is bidding to claim a maiden crown at the event.
Djokovic, on the other hand, is in search of a sixth Indian Wells Open title, a tally that would see him become the outright leader in history.
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He is currently tied with Federer on five for the most trophies won at the California competition.
The last time Djokovic emerged triumphant was 2016, when he defeated Milos Raonic in the final to break the record for the most Indian Wells titles ever, until Federer matched him the following year.
Since then, Djokovic has failed to make it past the fourth round of the tournament.
Novak Djokovic’s campaign at the Indian Wells Open last year
This time last season, Djokovic had already entered three tournaments to star the season.
He played at the Brisbane International, the Australian Open and the Qatar Open ahead of his campaign at Indian Wells in 2025.
In the first leg of the ‘Sunshine Double’, his run was brought to an early end when he fell in his opening match.
Djokovic, who received a bye in round one, lost to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round in three sets.
The legend bounced back in the second Masters event of the season in Miami, however, where he advanced to the final.
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